CSG model of the human head for ECT simulation
Diagnostic and therapeutic subjecting of the human brain to electrical currents and magnetic field, such as ECT (electroconvulsive treatment), must override the brain's natural protection and is therefore potentially hazardous. The anatomy of the human head is inappropriate for ECT, mainly because of the varying electrical conductivity of its layers. Numerical simulation seems a promising tool for improvement of ECT technique. As the physical parameters of the tissue and dimensions of the head vary from patient to Patient, the model's designer must average these parameters and make certain simplifications. The appropriate level of these simplifications remains to be determined. Numerical simulations of ECT are presented. The calculations involve the finite element model of electrostatic field, using a grid generated on the basis of a realistic, constructive solid geometry (CSG) model of the human head. The results are compared with those obtained with rite simple four-layer model.
brain numerical simulations finite element method medical