Biomechanical and functional variation in rat sciatic nerve following cuff electrode implantation

Abstract

BackgroundNerve cuff electrodes are commonly and successfully used for stimulating peripheral nerves. On the other hand, they occasionally induce functional and morphological changes following chronic implantation, for reasons not always clear. We hypothesize that restriction of nerve mobility due to cuff implantation may alter nerve conduction.MethodsWe quantified acute changes in nerve-muscle electrophysiology, using electromyography, and nerve kinematics in anesthetized Sprague Dawley rat sciatic nerves during controlled hindlimb joint movement. We compared electrophysiological and biomechanical response in uncuffed nerves and those secured within a cuff electrode using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis.ResultsTethering resulting from cuff implantation resulted in altered nerve strain and a complex biomechanical environment during joint movement. Coincident with biomechanical changes, electromyography revealed significantly increased variability in the response of conduction latency and amplitude in cuffed, but not free, nerves following joint movement.ConclusionOur findings emphasize the importance of the mechanical interface between peripheral nerves and their devices on neurophysiological performance. This work has implications for nerve device design, implantation, and prediction of long-term efficacy.

Effects of epimuscular myofascial force transmission on sarcomere length of passive muscles in the rat hindlimb

“…It has been found that knee extension results in proximal displacement (Ellis ) and lengthening strains (Restaino et al. ) of the sciatic nerve in humans and rats, respectively. As the common peroneal nerve, which innervates TA, branches off the sciatic nerve posterior to the knee axis, also proximal displacement of this nerve with knee extension can be expected.…”

“…This suggests that the net myofascial load cannot be explained by changes in the position of EDL relative to TA. It has been found that knee extension results in proximal displacement (Ellis 2012) and lengthening strains (Restaino et al 2014) of the sciatic nerve in humans and rats, respectively. As the common peroneal nerve, which innervates TA, branches off the sciatic nerve posterior to the knee ª 2015 The Authors.…”

Climbing-inspired twining electrodes using shape memory for peripheral nerve stimulation and recording

“…Because of the hard-to-change geometries, both traditional silicone rubber-based 3D cuff/helical electrodes with predefined stiff structures and PI-based electrodes with 2D planar structures have difficulties integrating with 3D peripheral nerves following surgical implantation. These drawbacks may induce irreversible damage to the nerves and cause serious biological issues, including inflammation, demyelination, axonal degradation, and blood vein compression (14)(15)(16)(17). Several adverse reactions caused by these drawbacks have been reported clinically, such as vomiting, cough, and difficulty in breathing in VNS therapy (18,19).…”

Printable microscale interfaces for long-term peripheral nerve mapping and precision control

“…(d) Schematic of implantation process: (left) the nanoclip is advanced towards an isolated nerve; (center) the nanoclip contacts the nerve resulting in elastic deformation of the trap doors and subsequent entry of the nerve into the central retention cavity; (right) as the nerve fills the cavity and makes contact with the electrode pads, the doors close behind the nerve to secure the nanoclip on the nerve. et al, 2008), which is comparable to the stiffness of peripheral tissues (Grill et al, 2009;Minev et al, 2015;Restaino et al, 2014) and correlates with a low immune response (Maiti et al, 2007;Salatino et al, 2017;Ward, 2008).…”