Contralateral EMG-Triggered Electrical Stimulation of the Eyelid

Electrical stimulation has been shown to activate the denervated orbicularis oculi, restoring eyelid movement following 7 nerve paralysis. Relatively high currents and long pulse widths are necessary, however, to achieve maximum closure. In order to prevent the unwanted activation of nearby sensory neurons due to excessive current spread, several options for lowering stimulation thresholds and minimizing the current necessary to achieve functional closure are being investigated. These include the use of multiple stimulation channels, promotion of reinnervation, and triggered stimulation to provide a synchronous blink with the contralateral side. This study validated the design of a system that uses EMG activity recorded from the healthy contralateral side in a unilateral model of 7 nerve paralysis as a means of triggering the delivery of stimulation pulses to the paralyzed orbiculairs oculi.