Long-term functionality of a soft electrode array for epidural spinal cord stimulation in a minipig model

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2018 Jul:2018:1432-1435. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2018.8512584.

Abstract

Long-term biointegration of man-made neural interfaces is influenced by the mechanical properties of the implant materials. Substantial experimental work currently aims at replacing conventional hard implant materials with soft alternatives that can favour a lower immune response. Here we assess the performance of a soft electrode array implanted in the spinal epidural space of a minipig model for a period of 6 months. The electrode array includes platinum-silicone electrode contacts and elastic thin-film gold interconnects embedded in silicone. textbfIn-vivo electrode impedance and voltage transients were monitored over time. Following implantation, epidural stimulation produced muscle-specific evoked potentials and visible muscle contractions. Over time, postoperative and stimulation induced changes in electrode impedance were observed. Such trends provide a basis for future technological improvements aiming at ensuring the stability of soft implantable electrodes for neural interfacing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electric Impedance
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Epidural Space
  • Spinal Cord
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation*
  • Swine
  • Swine, Miniature