Stimulation and Repair of Peripheral Nerves Using Bioadhesive Graft-Antenna.

ABSTRACT: An original wireless stimulator for peripheral nerves based on a metal loop (diameter ?1 mm) that is powered by a transcranial magnetic stimulator (TMS) and does not require circuitry components is reported. The loop can be integrated in a chitosan scaffold that functions as a graft when applied onto transected nerves (graft-antenna). The graft-antenna is bonded to rat sciatic nerves by a laser without sutures; it does not migrate after implantation and is able to trigger steady compound muscle action potentials for 12 weeks (CMAP ?1.3 mV). Eight weeks postoperatively, axon regeneration is facilitated in transected nerves that are repaired with the graft-antenna and stimulated by the TMS for 1 h per week. The graft-antenna is an innovative and minimally-invasive device that functions concurrently as a wireless stimulator and adhesive scaffold for nerve repair.

SUBMITTER: Sliow A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6548953 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature