Abstract
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) is a promising approach in functional restoration following neural impairments. Although it proves to be advantageous in the number of implantation sites provided compared with intramuscular or epimysial stimulation and the fact that it does not require daily placement, as is the case with surface electrodes, the further advancement of PNS paradigms is hampered by the limitation of spatial selectivity due to the current spread and variations of nerve physiology. New electrode designs such as the Transverse Intrafascicular Multichannel Electrode (TIME) were proposed to resolve this issue, but their use was limited by a lack of innovative multichannel stimulation devices. In this study, we introduce a new portable multichannel stimulator—called STIMEP—and implement different stimulation protocols in rats to test its versatility and unveil the potential of its combined use with TIME electrodes in rehabilitation protocols. We developed and tested various stimulation paradigms in a single fascicle and thereafter implanted two TIMEs. We also tested its stimulation using two different waveforms. The results highlighted the versatility of this new stimulation device and advocated for the parameterizing of a hyperpolarizing phase before depolarization as well as the use of small pulse widths when stimulating with multiple electrodes.
Highlights
Neuroprostheses are active medical devices aiming at restoring impaired physiological functions via the injection of electrical charges close to excitable cells, especially neurons
The first stimulation protocol (Figure 3) aimed both to ensure the ability of STIMEP to comply with a precise microstimulation and to investigate the impact of both the stimulation intensity and the pulse width on selectivity when implanting one Transverse Intrafascicular Multichannel Electrode (TIME) in a single fascicle
We focused our analysis on intrafascicular selectivity and compared the recruitment profile of two muscles innervated by the tibial fascicle—i.e., the plantar interossei and the gastrocnemius muscles [24]
Summary
Neuroprostheses are active medical devices aiming at restoring impaired physiological functions via the injection of electrical charges close to excitable cells, especially neurons. Electrical stimulation implies a broad spectrum of clinical applications for functional restoration ranging from breathing facilitation by phrenic nerve stimulation [4] to bladder [5,6], bowel [7,8], sexual and motor [9,10,11] functions. Concerning the latter, several modalities of stimulation are currently investigated according to electrodes positioning—and design—distinguishing the spinal, intramuscular, epimysial, surface and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) approaches. Many muscles are controlled by the same nerve, and the application of targeted stimulations should, in theory, enable the selective activation of several muscles, since the nerve fibers controlling a specific muscle are grouped in the same fascicle [12,13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
