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Wang X, Zhang Y, Guo T, Wu S, Zhong J, Cheng C, Sui X. Selective intrafascicular stimulation of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers through a longitudinal electrode: A computational study. Comput Biol Med 2024; 176:108556. [PMID: 38733726 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber electrodes have demonstrated exceptional spatial selectivity and sustained reliability in the context of intrafascicular electrical stimulation, as evidenced through rigorous animal experimentation. A significant presence of unmyelinated C fibers, known to induce uncomfortable somatosensory experiences, exists within peripheral nerves. This presence poses a considerable challenge to the excitation of myelinated Aβ fibers, which are crucial for tactile sensation. To achieve nuanced tactile sensory feedback utilizing CNT fiber electrodes, the selective stimulation of Aβ sensory afferents emerges as a critical factor. In confronting this challenge, the present investigation sought to refine and apply a rat sciatic-nerve model leveraging the capabilities of the COMSOL-NEURON framework. This approach enables a systematic evaluation of the influence exerted by stimulation parameters and electrode geometry on the activation dynamics of both myelinated Aβ and unmyelinated C fibers. The findings advocate for the utilization of current pulses featuring a pulse width of 600 μs, alongside the deployment of CNT fibers characterized by a diminutive diameter of 10 μm, with an exclusively exposed cross-sectional area, to facilitate reduced activation current thresholds. Comparative analysis under monopolar and bipolar electrical stimulation conditions revealed proximate activation thresholds, albeit with bipolar stimulation exhibiting superior fiber selectivity relative to its monopolar counterpart. Concerning pulse waveform characteristics, the adoption of an anodic-first biphasic stimulation modality is favored, taking into account the dual criteria of activation threshold and fiber selectivity optimization. Consequently, this investigation furnishes an efficacious stimulation paradigm for the selective activation of touch-related nerve fibers, alongside provisioning a comprehensive theoretical foundation for the realization of natural tactile feedback within the domain of prosthetic hand applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintong Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yapeng Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Tianruo Guo
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Shuhui Wu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Junwen Zhong
- Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Macau, Macau SAR, 999078, China
| | - Chengkung Cheng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China; Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Engineering Research Center of Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohong Sui
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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Valle G, Katic Secerovic N, Eggemann D, Gorskii O, Pavlova N, Petrini FM, Cvancara P, Stieglitz T, Musienko P, Bumbasirevic M, Raspopovic S. Biomimetic computer-to-brain communication enhancing naturalistic touch sensations via peripheral nerve stimulation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1151. [PMID: 38378671 PMCID: PMC10879152 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45190-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial communication with the brain through peripheral nerve stimulation shows promising results in individuals with sensorimotor deficits. However, these efforts lack an intuitive and natural sensory experience. In this study, we design and test a biomimetic neurostimulation framework inspired by nature, capable of "writing" physiologically plausible information back into the peripheral nervous system. Starting from an in-silico model of mechanoreceptors, we develop biomimetic stimulation policies. We then experimentally assess them alongside mechanical touch and common linear neuromodulations. Neural responses resulting from biomimetic neuromodulation are consistently transmitted towards dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord of cats, and their spatio-temporal neural dynamics resemble those naturally induced. We implement these paradigms within the bionic device and test it with patients (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03350061). He we report that biomimetic neurostimulation improves mobility (primary outcome) and reduces mental effort (secondary outcome) compared to traditional approaches. The outcomes of this neuroscience-driven technology, inspired by the human body, may serve as a model for advancing assistive neurotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Valle
- Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Natalija Katic Secerovic
- Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
- The Mihajlo Pupin Institute, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dominic Eggemann
- Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Oleg Gorskii
- Laboratory for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory for Neuromodulation, Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, National University of Science and Technology "MISIS", 119049, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Pavlova
- Laboratory for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Paul Cvancara
- Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering-IMTEK, Bernstein Center, BrainLinks-BrainTools Center of Excellence, University of Freiburg, D-79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Stieglitz
- Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering-IMTEK, Bernstein Center, BrainLinks-BrainTools Center of Excellence, University of Freiburg, D-79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pavel Musienko
- Laboratory for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, Neuroscience Program, Sirius, Russia
- Laboratory for Neurorehabilitation Technologies, Life Improvement by Future Technologies Center "LIFT", Moscow, Russia
| | - Marko Bumbasirevic
- Orthopaedic Surgery Department, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Stanisa Raspopovic
- Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Taghlabi KM, Cruz-Garza JG, Hassan T, Potnis O, Bhenderu LS, Guerrero JR, Whitehead RE, Wu Y, Luan L, Xie C, Robinson JT, Faraji AH. Clinical outcomes of peripheral nerve interfaces for rehabilitation in paralysis and amputation: a literature review. J Neural Eng 2024; 21:011001. [PMID: 38237175 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad200f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve interfaces (PNIs) are electrical systems designed to integrate with peripheral nerves in patients, such as following central nervous system (CNS) injuries to augment or replace CNS control and restore function. We review the literature for clinical trials and studies containing clinical outcome measures to explore the utility of human applications of PNIs. We discuss the various types of electrodes currently used for PNI systems and their functionalities and limitations. We discuss important design characteristics of PNI systems, including biocompatibility, resolution and specificity, efficacy, and longevity, to highlight their importance in the current and future development of PNIs. The clinical outcomes of PNI systems are also discussed. Finally, we review relevant PNI clinical trials that were conducted, up to the present date, to restore the sensory and motor function of upper or lower limbs in amputees, spinal cord injury patients, or intact individuals and describe their significant findings. This review highlights the current progress in the field of PNIs and serves as a foundation for future development and application of PNI systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M Taghlabi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Center for Neural Systems Restoration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Clinical Innovations Laboratory, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Jesus G Cruz-Garza
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Center for Neural Systems Restoration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Clinical Innovations Laboratory, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Taimur Hassan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Center for Neural Systems Restoration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Clinical Innovations Laboratory, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, United States of America
| | - Ojas Potnis
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Center for Neural Systems Restoration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Clinical Innovations Laboratory, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- School of Engineering Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Lokeshwar S Bhenderu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Center for Neural Systems Restoration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Clinical Innovations Laboratory, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, United States of America
| | - Jaime R Guerrero
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Center for Neural Systems Restoration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Clinical Innovations Laboratory, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Rachael E Whitehead
- Department of Academic Affairs, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Yu Wu
- Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States of America
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States of America
| | - Lan Luan
- Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States of America
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States of America
| | - Chong Xie
- Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States of America
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States of America
| | - Jacob T Robinson
- Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States of America
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States of America
| | - Amir H Faraji
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Center for Neural Systems Restoration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Clinical Innovations Laboratory, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States of America
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States of America
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