TY - JOUR
T1 - Early interfaced neural activity from chronic amputated nerves
AU - Garde, Kshitija
AU - Keefer, Edward
AU - Botterman, Barry
AU - Galvan, Pedro
AU - Romero-Ortega, Mario I.
PY - 2009/5/26
Y1 - 2009/5/26
N2 - Direct interfacing of transected peripheral nerves with advanced robotic prosthetic devices has been proposed as a strategy for achieving natural motor control and sensory perception of such bionic substitutes, thus fully functionally replacing missing limbs in amputees. Multi-electrode arrays placed in the brain and peripheral nerves have been used successfully to convey neural control of prosthetic devices to the user. However, reactive gliosis, micro hemorrhages, axonopathy and excessive inflammation currently limit their long-term use. Here we demonstrate that enticement of peripheral nerve regeneration through a non-obstructive multi-electrode array, after either acute or chronic nerve amputation, offers a viable alternative to obtain early neural recordings and to enhance long-term interfacing of nerve activity. Non-restrictive electrode arrays placed in the path of regenerating nerve fibers allowed the recording of action potentials as early as 8 days post-implantation with high signal-to-noise ratio, as long as 3 months in some animals, and with minimal inflammation at the nerve tissue-metal electrode interface. Our findings suggest that regenerative multi-electrode arrays of open design allow early and stable interfacing of neural activity from amputated peripheral nerves and might contribute towards conveying full neural control and sensory feedback to users of robotic prosthetic devices.
AB - Direct interfacing of transected peripheral nerves with advanced robotic prosthetic devices has been proposed as a strategy for achieving natural motor control and sensory perception of such bionic substitutes, thus fully functionally replacing missing limbs in amputees. Multi-electrode arrays placed in the brain and peripheral nerves have been used successfully to convey neural control of prosthetic devices to the user. However, reactive gliosis, micro hemorrhages, axonopathy and excessive inflammation currently limit their long-term use. Here we demonstrate that enticement of peripheral nerve regeneration through a non-obstructive multi-electrode array, after either acute or chronic nerve amputation, offers a viable alternative to obtain early neural recordings and to enhance long-term interfacing of nerve activity. Non-restrictive electrode arrays placed in the path of regenerating nerve fibers allowed the recording of action potentials as early as 8 days post-implantation with high signal-to-noise ratio, as long as 3 months in some animals, and with minimal inflammation at the nerve tissue-metal electrode interface. Our findings suggest that regenerative multi-electrode arrays of open design allow early and stable interfacing of neural activity from amputated peripheral nerves and might contribute towards conveying full neural control and sensory feedback to users of robotic prosthetic devices.
KW - Multi-electrode array
KW - Nerve injury
KW - Nerve regeneration
KW - Neural interface
KW - Neuroprostheses
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=83755164377&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=83755164377&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/neuro.16.005.2009
DO - 10.3389/neuro.16.005.2009
M3 - Article
C2 - 19506704
AN - SCOPUS:83755164377
SN - 1662-6443
VL - 2
JO - Frontiers in Neuroengineering
JF - Frontiers in Neuroengineering
IS - MAY
M1 - 5
ER -