The miniaturization and flexibility of wearable and implantable devices allow humans to carry them directly on or in their bodies, thus enabling these devices to measure biometric signals in real-time anywhere. However, as they are embedded or implanted into an actively moving human interface, motion artifact noise inevitably occurs. Typically, devices are laminated or implanted on body surfaces, but the positions of such devices cannot be designed without any discussion of the noise. Thus, this paper investigates an approach that minimizes the noise to achieve negligible motion artifacts in implantable micro-devices that have a specific angle on the surface of the body, while maintaining the function of sensor. The device with a specific angle successfully detects the target signal, while motion artifacts-such as tension, compression, and bending-disturb the measurement. The pulse signal on a wrist is well measured while the hand is rotating, and artificial skin implanted on a rat can distinguish external pressure from the movement noise. A thermometer sensor that follows the same rule is further examined. Therefore, this approach is expected to be useful in numerous areas including human interface-based medical devices, virtual reality, and health aids to improve quality of life.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation on poly(D,L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) in promoting the recovery of facial function and nerve regeneration after facial nerve (FN) injury in a rat model. In the experimental group, both the NGC and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ES) were used simultaneously; in the control group, only NGC was used. ES groups were divided into two groups, and direct current (DC) and charge-balanced pulse stimulation (Pulse) were applied. The ES groups showed significantly improved whisker movement than the NGC-only group. The number of myelinated neurons was higher in ES groups, and the myelin sheath was also thicker and more uniform. In addition, the expression of neurostructural proteins was also higher in ES groups than in the NGC-only group. This study revealed that FN regeneration and functional recovery occurred more efficiently when ES was applied in combination with NGCs.
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