Body Implants

Arm implant - Kevin Warwick, Jesse Sullivan, Claudia Mitchell

Leg implant - Jennifer French, Merger, Anonymous

A High Data Bandwidth Man-Machine Interface

Between the decision in the brain of an action and the final motion, the detection of information can be made at different levels :

motor cortex
transcortical electrodes placed directly on the surface of the cortex nerves
muscles : ElectroMyoGram (EMG)

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-160928357.html

Spine Anatomy

The following picture shows the anatomy of the spine

Defining the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebrae.

http://images.main.uab.edu/spinalcord/graphicimages/bspine.gif

Fact Sheet: Lower Limb Paralysis

Lesion Level Effect on Mobility

T12 & above With braces, can only walk short distances; with walker or crutches, slightly longer. Will mostly use a wheelchair, even in childhood.

L1 - L3 Leg braces with a waistband; will use crutches. Wheelchair for distances

L4 Will usually need braces, perhaps above the knee; crutches or cane; wheelchairs when older

L5 - S Short leg braces; may need crutches or cane.

The following picture shows the anatomy of the spine

http://www.asbha.org.au/LowerLimb.htm

See the following picture of the nerves exiting the spinal column.

Electromyogram

An electromyogram (EMG) is a special test used to determine if there are problems with any of the nerves going to the upper limbs. EMGs are usually done to determine whether the nerve roots have been pinched by a herniated disc. During the test, small needles are placed into certain muscles that are supplied by each nerve root. If there has been a change in the function of the nerve, the muscle will send off different types of electrical signals. The EMG test reads these signals and can help determine which nerve root is involved.

http://www.eorthopod.com/public/patient_education/6452/neck_pain.html

http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/spine/spine_cervical/neck_pain/neck_pain_anatomy04.jpg

Sciatica and Your Spinal Anatomy

The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in your body. It starts around the low back and sacrum (back of the pelvis). From there, it descends downward through the buttocks and the back of the thighs. Smaller nerves branch out from the sciatic nerve and travel into the lower legs toward your feet.

See the following picture of the sciatic nerve.

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article4121.html

Adult dermatome

The location of nerve dermatomes to the face. Dermatomes V1, V2, V3, C2, C3, C4 which are linked to vertebra C1 to C5.

See the following picture of the dermatomes and the spine.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/18069.htm

Wellness starts with the spinal column

By Dr. Maddalena Galliani

See the following table of disorders associated with the spinal column.

http://www.bioenergyresearch.com/eng/chiropractic.htm

Sacral plexus

See the following picture of the sacral nerves.

http://www.backpain-guide.com/Chapter_Fig_folders/Ch05_Anatomy_Folder/Ch5_Images/05-10_LS_Plexus.jpg

A further picture of the sacral nerves.

http://www.mrcog-wiseowl.com/assets/images/internal_iliac_artery_web.jpg

See the following front and posterior view of the sacral area.

http://www.eorthopod.com/public/patient_education/6610/hip_anatomy.html

EU approval and first European implant for ANS neurostimulation system

The Eon implantable pulse generator (IPG) is designed to last a minimum of seven years at high power settings. This allows patients to go longer between battery replacement surgeries. Eon can power up to 16 independent electrodes, which allows clinicians more programming options to better manage the patient’s pain.

Spinal cord stimulators like Eon are implanted devices that are similar in function and appearance to cardiac pacemakers. To have a spinal cord stimulator or “pain pacemaker” implanted, a patient must undergo a minor surgical procedure in which a lead or leads are placed in the epidural space and connected to a generator, which serves as the power source and programming “brain.” Once activated, the system’s programs are adjusted and fine tuned to best control the patient’s pain. Patients use a controller (similar to a remote control) that allows them to check the system’s battery, adjust the power level, select from pre-set programs and turn the system power on and off.

http://www.mtbeurope.info/news/2006/605033.htm

See the following picture of a spine stimulator.

http://www.ans-medical.com/

The ANS Eon neurostimulation system uses electrical impulses to trigger nerve fibres along the spinal chord

About the SCS Procedure

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) surgery is most commonly performed in two separate steps—a trial procedure and a permanent implant. The trial implantation may be performed under light sedation or, less frequently, under general anesthesia.

http://www.poweroveryourpain.com/sb/all_about/steps/index.html

Brain 'Pacemaker' Tickles Your Happy Nerve

In vagus nerve stimulation, or VNS, a two-inch diameter, .25 inch thick disk is surgically tucked under the skin near the left collarbone, then wired upward to the vagus nerve in the neck. The battery-operated disk delivers intermittent, rhythmic pulses to the nerve

See the following picture of a vagus nerve stimulator (implant).

http://fatknowledge.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html

The vagus nerves branch off the brain on either side of the head and travel down the neck, along the esophagus to the intestinal tract. They are the longest nerves in the body, and affect swallowing and speech. The vagus nerves also connect to parts of the brain involved in seizures. In many seizures disorders, electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves may help relieve symptoms.

See the following picture of the vagus nerves anatomy.

http://adam.about.com/reports/Depression.htm

Electrical brain stimulation for coma reversal:

Back From the Dead

By Gary Greenberg

applying electrical currents to spinal nerves to stimulate the brain.

The surgeon mentioned in the story, Edwin Cooper, has published a number of studies on the technique, which involves applying an electrical current to the right median nerve which connects directly to the spine.

A Japanese team is attempting to do something similar, but uses electrodes implanted directly in the spine itself to stimulate the dorsal column.

The idea behind the treatment is that the electrical current travels up the spinal nerves and boosts the reticular activating system, a part of the brain stem known to be involved in arousal and motivation.

See the following picture of a median nerve stimulator (implant).

http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/inside_the_brain/index.html

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.09/brainshock.html

See the following picture of an implanted nervous system.

http://zihinkontrol.blogcu.com/2131956/

Index

R a n d a l l M o r t o n BBus BComp BPsych

Body Implants

Spine Anatomy