The Use of a Bone-Anchored Device as a Hard-Wired Conduit for Transmitting EMG Signals From Implanted Muscle Electrodes

Abstract

Abstract-The use of a bone-anchored device to transmit electrical signals from internalised muscle electrodes was studied in a sheep model. The bone-anchored device was used as a conduit for the passage of a wire connecting an internal epimysial electrode to an external signal-recording device. The boneanchored device was inserted into an intact tibia and the electrode attached to the adjacent M. peroneus tertius. 'Physiological' signals with low signal to noise ratios were successfully obtained over a 12-week period by walking the sheep on a treadmill. Reliable transmission of multiple muscle signals across the skin barrier is essential for providing intuitive, biomimetic upper-limb prostheses. This technology has the potential to provide a better functional and reliable solution for upper-limb amputee rehabilitation: attachment and control.

Design features of implants for direct skeletal attachment of limb prostheses

“…New challenges may arise with the promising use of the transcutaneous implants for neuromuscular control of the limb prostheses . These systems have an additional vulnerable interface between the tissues and the electrodes implanted to the muscles or nerves …”

“…79,97 These systems have an additional vulnerable interface between the tissues and the electrodes implanted to the muscles or nerves. 98,99,116 There are reports on positive effects of different chemical, mechanical and biological treatments of the implant surface. [100][101][102] Positive results were reported following treatment of the implant surface with fibronectin, 103 laminin, 104 and fibroblast growth factor FGF18.…”

Prosthetic Myoelectric Control Strategies: A Clinical Perspective

“…Peripheral nerve function has been shown to remain intact many years after amputation [87], and successful direct nerve recording systems have been demonstrated in amputees [80,88,89], as well as cortical recording in patients with spinal cord injuries [90,91]. In addition, it may be possible to permanently link implanted electrodes through a bone-anchored conduit [22] or wirelessly [20]. While these examples are either animal or single case studies and are far from general clinical use, they offer an insight into alternative avenues of how future prosthetic limbs might be controlled.…”

“…However, this requires overcoming the interference of several muscles contracting together, which generate crosstalk of the resulting EMG signals, reducing the selectivity of the electrodes for individual EMG signals [19]. One method to overcome crosstalk is to implant recording electrodes directly into [20,21] or onto [22] muscles, which have been shown to be a feasible approach in animal studies.…”

Brain controlled robotic arms - advancements in prosthetic technology

“…These electrodes can be on the skin surface, or surgically implanted intramuscularly in order to collect signals. 10 There are different benefits that the different electrode placements confer. Surface electrodes can record activity from relatively large portions of muscle tissue, are easier to manage, and have lower cost.…”