Optimizing electrical field stimulation parameters reveals the maximum contractile function of human skeletal muscle microtissues

Abstract

Electrical field stimulation (EFS) parameters remain to be standardized for engineered skeletal muscle. Herein, we report a protocol for defining EFS parameters that elicit the maximal contractile force of muscle microtissues cultivated in micropost devices and highlight the value of developing appropriate metrics. The dynamic oscillation of force and duration-at-peak force are introduced as novel metrics of contraction kinetics.