Decomposition of multiunit electromyographic signals

We have developed a comprehensive technique to identify single motor unit ( SMU) potentials and to decompose overlapped electromyographic (EMG) signals into their constituent SMU potentials. This technique is based on one-chan nel EMG recordings and is easily implemented for many clinical EMG tests. T here are several distinct features of our technique: 1) it measures wavefor m similarity of SMU potentials in the wavelet domain, which gives this tech nique significant advantages over other techniques; 2) it classifies spikes based on the nearest neighboring algorithm, which is less sensitive to wav eform variation; 3) it can effectively separate compound potentials based o n a maximum signal energy deduction algorithm, which is fast and relatively reliable; and 4) it also utilizes the information on discharge regularitie s of SMU's to help correct possible decomposition errors. The performance o f this technique has been evaluated by using simulated EMG signals composed of up to eight different discharging SMU's corrupted with white noise, and also by using real EMG signals recorded at levels up to 50% maximum volunt ary contraction, We believe that it is a very useful technique to study SMU discharge patterns and recruitment of motor units in patients with neuromu scular disorders in clinical EMG laboratories.