Open AccessStimulation and Repair of Peripheral Nerves Using Bioadhesive Graft‐Antenna
Author(s) -
Sliow Ashour,
Ma Zhi,
Gargiulo Gaetano,
Mahns David,
Mawad Damia,
Breen Paul,
Stoodley Marcus,
Houang Jessica,
Kuchel Rhian,
Tettamanzi Giuseppe C.,
Tilley Richard D.,
Frost Samuel J.,
Morley John,
Longo Leonardo,
Lauto Antonio
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.201801212
Subject(s) - regeneration (biology) , stimulation , sciatic nerve , peripheral , compound muscle action potential , biomedical engineering , antenna (radio) , axon , medicine , materials science , anatomy , electrophysiology , computer science , biology , telecommunications , microbiology and biotechnology
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.