Electrode Array Development for Recovery of Stepping Following Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

We have designed and fabricated flexible electrode array system and demonstrated that the epidural stimulating arrays work better and can facilitate locomotion significantly earlier after spinal cord injury than conventional wire epidural stimulating electrodes. We have been able to maintain a functional, implanted array in a complete spinal rat for 6 weeks. We found stable parameters of the electrode array (impedance of electrodes and thresholds of evoked responses) for this period and observed stable rhythmic hindlimb activity facilitated with stimulation from selected electrode combinations. We also found that stimulation with the epidural electrode array could selectively activate spinal pathways responsible for monosynaptic and polysynaptic responses that may provide new perspectives in the assessment of the spinal cord after injury.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA562459

Entities

People

  • V. R. Edgerton

Organizations

  • University of California, Los Angeles

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Animal Structures
  • Data Acquisition
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy
  • Electrical Properties
  • Electrodes
  • Films
  • High Density
  • Impedance
  • Locomotion
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Microelectrodes
  • Spinal Column
  • Spinal Cord
  • Spinal Injuries
  • Stress Concentration
  • Stresses
  • Thin Films

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Neuroscience
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.