Serial assessment of functional recovery following nerve injury using implantable thin-film wireless nerve stimulators.

INTRODUCTION

Comprehensive assessment of the time course of functional recovery following peripheral nerve repair is critical for surgical management of peripheral nerve injuries. This study describes the design and implementation of a novel implantable wireless nerve stimulator capable of repeatedly interfacing peripheral nerve tissue and providing serial evaluation of functional recovery postoperatively.

METHODS

Thin-film wireless implants were fabricated and subcutaneously implanted into Lewis rats. Wireless implants were used to serially stimulate rat sciatic nerve and assess functional recovery over 3 months following various nerve injuries.

RESULTS

Wireless stimulators demonstrated consistent performances over 3 months in vivo and successfully facilitated serial assessment of nerve and muscle function following nerve crush and nerve transection injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the ability of implantable wireless nerve stimulators to provide a unique view into the time course of functional recovery in multiple motor targets. Muscle Nerve 54: 1114-1119, 2016.