Symbiotic electroneural and musculoskeletal framework to encode proprioception via neurostimulation: ProprioStim

Cimolato, Andrea; Ciotti, Federico; Kljajic, Jelena; Valle, Giacomo; Raspopović, Staniša

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.106248

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 97 publications

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“…A potential approach to minimize the interference of stimulation with ongoing neural processes is the use of ‘‘biomimetic’’ and model-based stimulation patterns. 23 , 46 , 56 – 58 Instead of delivering unstructured and synchronized neural activity, these protocols could produce more naturalistic patterns, thereby potentially avoiding these side effects. In conclusion, future stimulation strategy designs should consider the use of neural population analysis to analyze the effects of particular stimulation patterns on apparently unrelated neural network processes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, new data from epidural spinal cord stimulation for spinal cord injury showed that continuous stimulation of recruited sensory afferents produces a disruption of proprioceptive percepts at stimulation parameters commonly employed in clinical trials. 6 Similarly, the inability to elicit robust proprioceptive percepts 23 is striking in the application of electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerves for the restoration of somatosensations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neural population dynamics reveals disruption of spinal circuits’ responses to proprioceptive input during electrical stimulation of sensory afferents

Katic Secerovic,

Balaguer,

Gorskii

et al. 2024

Cell Reports

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neural population dynamics reveals disruption of spinal circuits’ responses to proprioceptive input during electrical stimulation of sensory afferents

Katic Secerovic,

Balaguer,

Gorskii

et al. 2024

Cell Reports

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“…The model of pudendal nerve was generated from four histological cross-sections along a 2 cm long ex-vivo human nerve sample [ 27 ] by assisted segmentation in MATLAB and 3D reconstruction in Solidworks by Loft features, obtaining a natural representation of branching and merging of fascicles, as previously described [ 44 , 46 ]. Given that for the human sacral nerve only analytical information (i.e.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of an adaptable intrafascicular electrode (AIR) for selective nerve stimulation by model-based optimization

et al. 2023

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Peripheral nerve stimulation is being investigated as a therapeutic tool in several clinical scenarios. However, the adopted devices have restricted ability to obtain desired outcomes with tolerable off-target effects. Recent promising solutions are not yet employed in clinical practice due to complex required surgeries, lack of long-term stability, and implant invasiveness. Here, we aimed to design a neural interface to address these issues, specifically dimensioned for pudendal and sacral nerves to potentially target sexual, bladder, or bowel dysfunctions. We designed the adaptable intrafascicular radial electrode (AIR) through realistic computational models. They account for detailed human anatomy, inhomogeneous anisotropic conductance, following the trajectories of axons along curving and branching fascicles, and detailed biophysics of axons. The model was validated against available experimental data. Thanks to computationally efficient geometry-based selectivity estimations we informed the electrode design, optimizing its dimensions to obtain the highest selectivity while maintaining low invasiveness. We then compared the AIR with state-of-the-art electrodes, namely InterStim leads, multipolar cuffs and transversal intrafascicular multichannel electrodes (TIME). AIR, comprising a flexible substrate, surface active sites, and radially inserted intrafascicular needles, is designed to be implanted in a few standard steps, potentially enabling fast implants. It holds potential for repeatable stimulation outcomes thanks to its radial structural symmetry. When compared in-silico, AIR consistently outperformed cuff electrodes and InterStim leads in terms of recruitment threshold and stimulation selectivity. AIR performed similarly or better than a TIME, with quantified less invasiveness. Finally, we showed how AIR can adapt to different nerve sizes and varying shapes while maintaining high selectivity. The AIR electrode shows the potential to fill a clinical need for an effective peripheral nerve interface. Its high predicted performance in all the identified requirements was enabled by a model-based approach, readily applicable for the optimization of electrode parameters in any peripheral nerve stimulation scenario.

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“…This is due to multiple factors, among which current neurotechnologies fail to induce natural sensation 1 and often result in unpleasant paresthesia instead. Indeed, common neuromodulation devices do not stimulate neurons based on the human natural touch coding or using model-based approaches 25 – 27 , but rather with predefined constant stimulation frequency 28 – 30 . These stimulation patterns activate all neurons simultaneously, contrary to neural activity during in-vivo natural touch 31 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomimetic computer-to-brain communication enhancing naturalistic touch sensations via peripheral nerve stimulation

Valle,

Katic Secerovic,

Eggemann

et al. 2024

Nat Commun

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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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Symbiotic electroneural and musculoskeletal framework to encode proprioception via neurostimulation: ProprioStim

Cited by 11 publications

References 97 publications

Neural population dynamics reveals disruption of spinal circuits’ responses to proprioceptive input during electrical stimulation of sensory afferents

Neural population dynamics reveals disruption of spinal circuits’ responses to proprioceptive input during electrical stimulation of sensory afferents

Design of an adaptable intrafascicular electrode (AIR) for selective nerve stimulation by model-based optimization

Biomimetic computer-to-brain communication enhancing naturalistic touch sensations via peripheral nerve stimulation

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