• Xiu-jun Zheng, Jian Zhang, Zhong-wei Chen, Tong-yi Chen, Tian-pei Hu, Yang Si, and Xiao-wen Zhang.
• Orthopedic Department, Zhong Shan Hospital Affiliated to FuDan University, Shanghai 200032, China. xiujunzheng@hotmail.com
• Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2003 Dec 25; 83 (24): 2152-7.

ObjectiveTo study the biocompatibility of longitudinally implanted intrafascicular electrodes (LIFEs) in a rabbit sciatic nerve model. And to discuss the possibility of peripheral fascicular signals as a new signal source to control an electronic prosthetic hand.MethodsLIFEs were implanted chronically into sciatic peripheral fascicles of rabbits as recording and stimulating electrodes. Motor-evoked potentials (MEP) and cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials (CSEP) were recorded by using a transcranial stimulation system (TCS) over six-month period to observe the change of the signals recorded. At the end of the experiments, the fascicles at the electrodes implanted site were anatomized for histological examination under light microscope and transmission electron microscope. In human test, LIFEs were implanted into radial nerve, ulnar nerve and medial nerve of an amputee volunteer. Signals were detected when the volunteer was asked to do different movements of his missing hand, and the signals recorded by LIFEs were used to control an electronic prosthetic hand.ResultsThe difference of onset latency (OL) of MEP and CSEP recorded at different time has remarkable statistical significance (one way ANOVA, P < 0.001). After multiple comparisons, onset latency (OL) of MEP and CSEP had no obvious change during 1 month, but significantly increased in the later time, and then became stable after 3 months after implantation. The difference of the interpeak amplitudes (IPAs) of MEP recorded at different time has remarkable statistical significance (one way ANOVA, P < 0.001). The interpeak amplitudes (IPAs) of MEP had no distinct change during 1 month, but significantly decreased over the next period, and then became stable after 3 months. Though the interpeak amplitudes (IPAs) of CSEP decreased slowly over six-month period of the study, the difference has no statistic significance (one way ANOVA, P > 0.05). At the end of experiment, histological examination indicated that a typical foreign body reaction developed and electrodes caused a mild damage to fascicles. But inflammatory cells and neuroma were not seen around the electrodes. Signals recorded by LIFEs planted in proximal radial, ulnar and median nerve of the amputated arm were different when the amputee volunteer was ordered to do some different movements with his mind. Some signals could be used to control the seven-freedom electronic prosthetic hand.ConclusionsLongitudinally implanted intrafascicular electrodes (LIFEs) have excellent biocompatibility with peripheral fascicles. They can be implanted chronically into fascicles and record signals. Furthermore, LIFEs can record physiological signals of peripheral fasciculi when hand moves, and these signals could be used to control an electronic prosthetic hand through further research.

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