EMG analysis of the thenar muscles as a model for EMG-triggered larynx stimulation.

Paralysis of one or both sides of the larynx musculature compromises breathing and speech function. Currently there is no surgical remedy to restore adequate function of the larynx. A plausible alternative solution is triggered electrical stimulation of the paralysed larynx site using a laryngeal pacemaker. Triggering of the pacemaker succeeds via constant EMG measurement of the muscle activity of the healthy larynx side. The EMG data analysis described in this work is one possible approach for regulating pacemaker triggering. In this study we used EMG data from the thenar muscles as a model to calculate a trigger point.