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We evaluated by morphologic and functional analysis the regeneration of peripheral nerve fibers through polyimide regenerative-type electrodes over long-term implantation. Polyimide sieve electrodes were placed in silicone chambers and implanted between the severed ends of the sciatic nerve in rats. The sieve part had 281 round via holes of 40 microm in diameter, with nine integrated recording-stimulating electrodes arranged around the via holes. The degree of axonal regeneration was examined at 2, 7, and 12 months postimplantation (mpi). Regeneration was successful in 12 of the 13 animals implanted. Reinnervation of distal muscle and nerves increased with time, reaching a plateau about 7 mpi. The number of myelinated fibers increased from 2 to 7 months, at which time it was similar to control values. With time the myelinated fibers matured, with significant increases in axon diameter and myelin thickness. Only 0.6% of the regenerated axons showed evidence of compression near the implanted electrode. The majority of the myelinated fibers that crossed the via holes and had been regenerated through the distal nerve had a normal appearance. Sieve electrodes were useful for nerve stimulation at postimplantation. Stimulation through different active electrodes excited nerve bundles, evoking compound muscle action potentials of varying shape and amplitude, indicative of selective axonal stimulation.

(2017) Closed-loop interaction with the cerebral cortex using a novel micro-ECoG-based implant: the impact of beta vs. gamma stimulation frequencies on cortico-cortical spectral responses, 4:4,[214][215][216][217][218][219][220][221][222][223][224] Cemt, experimental surgery, medical Center, faculty of medicine, university of freiburg, freiburg, Germany ABSTRACT Medical brain implants for closed-loop interaction with the cerebral cortex promise new treatment options for brain disorders, and thus great efforts are being made to develop devices for long-term application. Closed-loop interaction can be implemented using electrophysiological recording techniques, and can be used to modulate local cortical activity or long-range functional connectivity. In a case study performed in sheep chronically implanted with a novel micro-electrocorticographybased device, we show that (1) open-loop single-pulse electrical stimulation (SPES) elicited the well-known cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs), and (2) closed-loop repetitive-pulse electrical stimulation (RPES) elicited specific cortico-cortical spectral responses (CCSRs). CCSRs were spatially focalized in the gamma band, compared with beta band independent of RPES frequency. The topography of CCSRs was different compared with CCEPs, suggesting that CCEPs and CCSRs capture different aspects of cortico-cortical connectivity. We propose that CCSRs provide new useful measures of functional connectivity, and that in particular gamma-band CCSRs may be an optimal choice if spatially precise closed-loop interaction is desired. However, the parameter space of microelectrocorticography stimulation patterns and associated changes in μECoG frequency bands needs to be further explored and many questions remain before closed-loop brain implants can be used in clinical applications.

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The shear force from a gold or a graphite sample acting on an approaching near-field optical probe is studied in detail. The adiabatic and dissipative contributions to the force are clearly distinguished by monitoring the amplitude as well as the phase of the tip vibration when the tip approaches the surfaces. We also take into account that not only the damping and the resonance frequency but also the mass of the system changes when the tip approaches the surface. The relative strength of the contributions to the force varies differently but characteristically with the distance of the two samples, starting at a much larger distance in the case of graphite. The adiabatic contribution is larger in the case of the gold sample. Measurements at various temperatures are performed using the gold sample, showing a dependence of the shear force on the varying conditions.