A functional model and simulation of spinal motor pools and intrafascicular recordings of motoneuron activity in peripheral nerve.

Decoding motor intent from recorded neural signals is essential for the development of effective neural-controlled prostheses. To facilitate the development of online decoding algorithms we have developed a software platform to simulate neural motor signals recorded with peripheral nerve electrodes, such as longitudinal intrafascicular electrodes (LIFEs). The simulator uses stored motor intent signals to drive a pool of simulated motoneurons with various spike shapes, recruitment characteristics, and firing frequencies.

A system and method to interface with multiple groups of axons in several fascicles of peripheral nerves.

Background: Several neural interface technologies that stimulate and/or record from groups of axons have been developed. The longitudinal intrafascicular electrode (LIFE) is a fine wire that can provide access to a discrete population of axons within a peripheral nerve fascicle. Some applications require, or would benefit greatly from, technology that could provide access to multiple discrete sites in several fascicles.

Object discrimination with an artificial hand using electrical stimulation of peripheral tactile and proprioceptive pathways with intrafascicular electrodes.

Trans-radial amputee subjects were implanted with intrafascicular electrodes in the stumps of the median and ulnar nerves. Electrical stimulation through these electrodes was used to provide sensations of touch and finger position referred to the amputated hand. Two subjects were asked to identify different objects as to size and stiffness by manipulating them with a myo-electric hand without visual or auditory cues.

Frequency response characteristics of isolated retinas from hatchling leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea L.) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta L.) sea turtles.

Electroretinographic recordings were made from hatchling loggerhead and leatherback sea turtle eyecup preparations during presentation of sinusoidally modulated lights of different frequencies, mean intensities and colors. Cross-correlation analysis was performed to determine the extent to which the responses followed the intensity modulated light sources. For both species mean light intensity had no significant effect on the frequency modulated responses over a 1.

A charge-balanced pulse generator for nerve stimulation applications.

Nerve stimulation typically employs charge-balanced current injection with a delay between the cathodal and anodal phases. Typically these waveforms are produced using a microprocessor. However, once appropriate stimulus parameters are chosen, they tend to remain fixed within an application, making computational power unnecessary.

Assessing the numerical accuracy of the impedance method.

The impedance method has been used extensively to calculate induced electric fields and currents in tissue as a result of applied electromagnetic fields. However, there has previously been no known method for an a priori assessment of the numerical accuracy of the results found by this method. Here, we present a method which permits an a priori assessment of the numerical accuracy of the impedance method applied to physiologically meaningful problems in bioengineering.

Differential activation of nerve fibers with magnetic stimulation in humans.

Background: Earlier observations in our lab had indicated that large, time-varying magnetic fields could elicit action potentials that travel in only one direction in at least some of the myelinated axons in peripheral nerves. The objective of this study was to collect quantitative evidence for magnetically induced unidirectional action potentials in peripheral nerves of human subjects. A magnetic coil was maneuvered to a location on the upper arm where physical effects consistent with the creation of unidirectional action potentials were observed.

Differential activation and block of peripheral nerve fibers by magnetic fields.

The ability to noninvasively and reversibly block conduction in peripheral nerves would have several clinical applications. As an initial step in this direction, we investigated the possibility of magnetically generating and differentially blocking activity in mammalian peripheral nerve fibers in vitro. Compound action potentials at each end of individual explanted phrenic nerves were recorded in response to currents induced at the midpoint of the nerve with an externally placed magnetic coil.

Microfabricated cylindrical multielectrodes for neural stimulation.

The effects of spinal cord injuries are likely to be ameliorated with the help of functional electrical stimulation of the spinal cord, a technique that may benefit from a new style of electrode: the cylindrical multielectrode. This paper describes the specifications for, fabrication techniques for, and in vitro evaluation of cylindrical multielectrodes. Four tip shapes were tested to determine which shape required the lowest peak force and would, therefore, be expected to minimize dimpling during implantation.

Intraspinal microstimulation using cylindrical multielectrodes.

A cylindrical multielectrode system specifically designed for intraspinal microstimulation was mechanically and electrically evaluated in the ventral horn of the feline lumbo-sacral spinal cord. Electrode insertions proved to be straight as evaluated from radiographs. Impedances were measured in situ and force recruitment curves from quadriceps muscles were collected over a wide range of stimulus parameters.

Direct neural sensory feedback and control of a prosthetic arm.

Evidence indicates that user acceptance of modern artificial limbs by amputees would be significantly enhanced by a system that provides appropriate, graded, distally referred sensations of touch and joint movement, and that the functionality of limb prostheses would be improved by a more natural control mechanism. We have recently demonstrated that it is possible to implant electrodes within individual fascicles of peripheral nerve stumps in amputees, that stimulation through these electrodes can produce graded, discrete sensations of touch or movement referred to the amputee's phantom hand, and that recordings of motor neuron activity associated with attempted movements of the phantom limb through these electrodes can be used as graded control signals. We report here that this approach allows amputees to both judge and set grip force and joint position in an artificial arm, in the absence of visual input, thus providing a substrate for better integration of the artificial limb into the amputee's body image.

Residual function in peripheral nerve stumps of amputees: implications for neural control of artificial limbs.

Purpose: It is not known whether motor and sensory pathways associated with a missing or denervated limb remain functionally intact over periods of many months or years after amputation or chronic peripheral nerve transection injury. We examined the extent to which activity on chronically severed motor nerve fibers could be controlled by human amputees and whether distally referred tactile and proprioceptive sensations could be induced by stimulation of sensory axons in the nerve stumps.

Methods: Amputees undergoing elective stump procedures were invited to participate in this study.

Fabrication and characteristics of an implantable, polymer-based, intrafascicular electrode.

We describe new manufacturing techniques and physical properties of an improved polymer-based longitudinal intrafascicular electrode (polyLIFE). Modifications were made to correct: (1) poor metal film adhesion and fatigue resistance, (2) inconsistent insulation adhesion and control over recording/stimulation zone length, and (3) insufficient tensile strength for clinical use. Metal adhesion was significantly improved by both plasma treatment and fiber rotation (about the long axis) during metal deposition.

Long-term biocompatibility of implanted polymer-based intrafascicular electrodes.

Polymer-based longitudinal intrafascicular electrodes (polyLIFEs) were chronically implanted into the sciatic nerve of white New Zealand rabbits (n=8) for a period of 6 months (hereafter referred to as the long-term group). The impact of the implantation procedure, as observed 6 months post surgery, was evaluated in a sham-treated control group (n=9). The contralateral sciatic nerve served as the control for each animal.