Experimental Study on Nerve Signals Block for Spasticity Based on Antimissile Strategy.

Abstract

A method of blocking neural signal for spasticity which is based on the antimissile strategy was proposed. When the pathological nerve action potential signal is detected at the proximal end of the nerve, such a potential signal that is opposite to the signal of the primary neural activity is applied at the distal end of the nerve at a proper delay so as to block the pathological nerve signal. Preliminary tests were performed on toad sciatic nerve-gastrocnemius specimens. Firstly, the effect of the distance between blocking electrodes on the blocking pulse voltage threshold was studied based on the electrical tension induced by the nerve signal on the controlled muscle. Then, the effective parameters of the blocking waveform were studied. Finally, the delay range of the blocking pulse compared to the pathogen action potential was studied. The results showed that in the sciatic nerve-gastrocnemius specimens, the most effective distance between the blocking electrode pairs was 5 mm and the anodic block required an inverted triangle waveform. The voltage threshold of an effective anodic blocking pulse was 1 V and the minimum pulse width was 90 ms. Under the condition of voltage threshold and minimum pulse width, the time shifting value of blocking pulse was greater than 1ms. It is concluded from the study that the spastic action potential caused by the disease can be effectively blocked, and limb muscle spasms can be eliminated under the action of appropriate electrode configuration and blocking signal waveforms.