Long-term biocompatibility of implanted polymer-based intrafascicular electrodes.
Polymer-based longitudinal intrafascicular electrodes (polyLIFEs) were chronically implanted into the sciatic nerve of white New Zealand rabbits (n=8) for a period of 6 months (hereafter referred to as the long-term group). The impact of the implantation procedure, as observed 6 months post surgery, was evaluated in a sham-treated control group (n=9). The contralateral sciatic nerve served as the control for each animal. Nerve-fiber counts, fiber diameters, and myelin thickness were estimated at the level of the implant site, 1.5 cm proximally, and 1.5 cm distally for both nerves in sham-treated and long-term groups. Implantation of polyLIFEs had no significant effect on fiber counts, nerve-fiber diameter, or myelin thickness. A slight increase in connective tissue in the vicinity of the implant site was evident in the long-term group, including a thin but dense capsule immediately surrounding the implanted electrode.
Lawrence
Stephen M
SM
Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA.
Larsen
Jytte O
JO
Horch
Kenneth W
KW
Riso
Ron
R
Sinkjaer
Thomas
T
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011108:Polymers / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers