A New Means of Transcutaneous Coupling for Neural Prostheses

Neural prostheses are electronic stimulators that activate nerves to restore sensory or motor functions. Implanted neural prostheses receive command signals and in some cases energy to recharge their batteries through the skin by telemetry. Here, we describe a new approach that eliminates the implanted stimulator. Stimulus pulse trains are passed between two surface electrodes placed on the skin. An insulated lead with conductive terminals at each end is implanted inside the body. One terminal is located under the cathodal surface electrode and the other is attached to a nerve targeted for stimulation. A fraction (10%-15%) of the current flowing between the surface electrodes is routed through the implanted lead. The nerve is stimulated when the amount of routed current is sufficient. The aims of this study were to establish some basic electrical properties of the system and test long-term stability in chronic implants. Stimulation of the nerve innervating the ankle flexors produced graded force over the full physiological range at amplitudes below threshold for evoking muscle contractions under the surface electrodes. Implants remained stable for over 8 mo. The findings provide the basis for a new family of neural prostheses

[1]  T Sinkjaer,et al.  Interfacing the body's own sensing receptors into neural prosthesis devices. , 1999, Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine.

[2]  Arthur Prochazka,et al.  Clinical experience with reinforced, anchored intramuscular electrodes for functional neuromuscular stimulation , 1992, Journal of Neuroscience Methods.

[3]  J. Mortimer,et al.  Long-term intramuscular electrical activation of the phrenic nerve: safety and reliability , 1994, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[4]  Kenneth W. Horch,et al.  Neuroprosthetics theory and practice , 2004 .

[5]  E. Marsolais,et al.  Implantation techniques and experience with percutaneous intramuscular electrodes in the lower extremities. , 1986, Journal of rehabilitation research and development.

[6]  J. Mortimer,et al.  A spiral nerve cuff electrode for peripheral nerve stimulation , 1988, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[7]  J. Waltz Spinal cord stimulation: a quarter century of development and investigation. A review of its development and effectiveness in 1,336 cases. , 1997, Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery.

[8]  G E Loeb,et al.  BION system for distributed neural prosthetic interfaces. , 2001, Medical engineering & physics.

[9]  J. Waltz Spinal cord stimulation: a quarter century of development and investigation. A review of its development and effectiveness in 1,336 cases. , 1997, Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery.

[10]  Liberson Wt,et al.  Functional electrotherapy: stimulation of the peroneal nerve synchronized with the swing phase of the gait of hemiplegic patients. , 1961, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[12]  D. Rushton,et al.  Sacral anterior root stimulators for bladder control in paraplegia: the first 50 cases. , 1986, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.

[13]  R B Stein,et al.  Application of tilt sensors in functional electrical stimulation. , 1996, IEEE transactions on rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

[14]  A. Benabid,et al.  Deep brain stimulation , 2004, Cell and Tissue Research.

[15]  G M Clark,et al.  A multiple electrode cochlear implant , 1977, Journal of Laryngology and Otology.

[16]  St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School , 1894, The Hospital.

[17]  L. Vodovnik Therapeutic effects of functional electrical stimulation of extremities , 1981, Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing.

[18]  J. Hogan,et al.  LONG-TERM VENTILATORY SUPPORT BY DIAPHRAGM PACING IN QUADRIPLEGIA , 1977 .

[19]  P. Green,et al.  Head orientation and trajectory of locomotion during jumping and walking in domestic chicks. , 1998, Brain, behavior and evolution.

[20]  E. Kaplan,et al.  Physiology of motion : demonstrated by means of electrical stimulation and clinical observation and applied to the study of paralysis and deformities , 1949 .

[21]  J. Patrick Reilly,et al.  Electrical Stimulation and Electropathology , 1991 .

[22]  B. Uthman,et al.  Vagus nerve stimulation therapy for partial-onset seizures , 1998, Neurology.

[23]  A. Prochazka,et al.  The bionic glove: an electrical stimulator garment that provides controlled grasp and hand opening in quadriplegia. , 1997, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[24]  E. Marsolais,et al.  Restoration of key grip and release in the C6 tetraplegic patient through functional electrical stimulation. , 1980 .