Distinguishability of Functionally Distinct Evoked Neuroelectric Signals on the Surface of a Nerve

This paper describes initial experiments to determine the feasibility of recording functionally distinct neuroelectric signals from the surface of the rabbit's sciatic nerve. A cuff electrode assembly was constructed; it consisted of two planar arrays, each having four wires equally spaced around the circumference of the electrode. The electrode assembly was placed on the sciatic nerve proximal to the popliteal fossa. A hook electrode was placed on six branches of the sciatic nerve in turn, just proximal to each branch's insertion into a leg muscle. Stimulation of the nerve branches was used to evoke signals in the sciatic nerve.