Development of a Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface for Control of a Neuroprosthetic Limb.
Background. The purpose of this experiment was to develop a peripheral nerve interface using cultured myoblasts within a scaffold to provide a biologically stable interface while providing signal amplification for neuroprosthetic control and preventing neuroma formation. Methods. A Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI) composed of a scaffold and cultured myoblasts was implanted on the end of a divided peroneal nerve in rats (n = 25). The scaffold material consisted of either silicone mesh, acellular muscle, or acellular muscle with chemically polymerized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) conductive polymer. Average implantation time was 93 days. Electrophysiological tests were performed at endpoint to determine RPNI viability and ability to transduce neural signals. Tissue samples were examined using both light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Results. All implanted RPNIs, regardless of scaffold type, remained viable and displayed robust vascularity. Electromyographic activity and stimulated compound muscle action potentials were successfully recorded from all RPNIs. Physiologic efferent motor action potentials were detected from RPNIs in response to sensory foot stimulation. Histology and transmission electron microscopy revealed mature muscle fibers, axonal regeneration without neuroma formation, neovascularization, and synaptogenesis. Desmin staining confirmed the preservation and maturation of myoblasts within the RPNIs. Conclusions. RPNI demonstrates significant myoblast maturation, innervation, and vascularization without neuroma formation.
Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5463, USA.
Melanie G
0000-0002-6456-613X
MG
Urbanchek
Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5463, USA.
Theodore A
0000-0003-2418-8119
TA
Kung
Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5463, USA.
Christopher M
CM
Frost
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-1501, USA.
David C
DC
Martin
Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA; Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2110, USA.
Lisa M
LM
Larkin
Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5463, USA.
Adi
0000-0003-3214-6023
A
Wollstein
Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5463, USA; Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2110, USA.
Paul S
0000-0002-6756-7197
PS
Cederna
D000818:Animals; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D058117:Neural Prostheses; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds