Implant to nerves

The internal receiver/stimulator takes the FM signal and translates it back into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is then sent down a wire which has been surgically placed inside the cochlea. Electrodes on that wire then stimulate the auditory nerve (hearing nerve), which sends the information to the brain.

http://www.cssd.us/body.cfm?id=838

Retinal Implant Helps Restore Vision

This prothesis links with the ganglion cells at the back of the eye and the signals travel over the optic nerve to the brain.

After a prototype was successfully used in six people, further trials are set to begin.

The device is still preliminary; the resolution is quite limited, naturally. But it is interesting that the brains of the patients seem to adapt to the limited visual input, and their vision improved over time.

http://imparo.wordpress.com/2007/02/19/retinal-implant-helps-restore-vision/

Integration of MNT, biomaterials and wireless comms as an enabler for medical implants and diagnostic equipment

February 2007

See page 4 of 16

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/events/phs_2007/docs/slides/phs2007-hodgins-s1c.pdf

Electronic Nerve Stimulator Enables Walking

Thursday, March 22, 2007

She's a young woman sitting in a wheelchair, paralyzed from a snowboarding accident. She presses a button on a control box strapped to her waist ... and then she stands up.

The system developed by Hunter Peckham and colleagues at Case Western Reserve University bypasses the injured part of the nervous system and applies an electrical stimulation to replicate the signal that the muscles no longer receive.

http://medgadget.com/archives/2007/03/electronic_nerv.html

scientists have shown in animals that it's possible to implant a tiny, ultra-thin electrode array in the auditory nerve that can successfully transmit a wide range of sounds to the brain.

the National Institutes of Health to re-evaluate the potential of auditory nerve implants. Middlebrooks is a U-M Medical School professor of otolaryngology and biomedical engineering. He collaborated with Russell L. Snyder of the University of California, San Francisco and Utah State University. The two co-authored an article on the results in the June issue of Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=26232

Electro-nerve stimulator systems and methods

Transcutaneous stimulators, i.e., stimulators which do not physically penetrate the skin surface, are less invasive than percutaneous and implantable stimulators. However, transcutaneous stimulators often require higher current levels than percutaneous and implantable stimulators. Higher current levels can cause irritation and discomfort when used for extended periods. Also, since transcutaneous stimulators stimulate on the skin surface, their target site usually covers a large area. Thus, transcutaneous stimulators may not be highly effective for direct nerve stimulation.

More typically, providers use implantable stimulators when there is a need for direct nerve stimulation or continuous stimulation. Implantable stimulators can free a patient from the need for constant and frequent manual treatment. However, implantable stimulators can cause mild discomfort, and often cause more severe implant-site pain.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6493588.html

See the following diagram of “stimulation of nerve cell”.

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

Is it possible to change judgements using electromagnetic impulses across the brain?

'Switching off' economic judgement with magnets:

The Times has a concise piece on a recent study published in Science magazine suggesting that performance on an economic bargaining task could be changed by altering the function of the brain with magnets.

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

The ANS Eon neurostimulation system uses electrical impulses to trigger nerve fibres along the spinal chord
Neuron Modeling for Neuroprosthetic Applications

F. Rattay

Even a simple model of a neuron should consist of different subunits as the electrical properties of neural membranes are quite different in dendrite, soma, axon hillock, node, internode and unmyelinated terminal (Fig. 1).

See the following diagram explaining a “membrane voltage calculation”.

http://www.ifess.org/ifess02/muscles_nerves/Rattay4_files/image005.gif

Artificial Eyes: Giving Sight to the Blind

Until recently, technology still lacked the ability to truly connect machines directly to a nerve. They merely detected or sent electrical impulses through tissue rather then making a physical connection. However, advances now allow a small piece of silicon to be attached to a neuron as a transmitter.

http://www.cem.msu.edu/~cem181fp/brain/page3.html

Microelectrode arrays (MEA)

http://neural.bme.ufl.edu/page12/page18/page18.html

Electrical interfacing of nerve cells and semiconductor chips.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12503174?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=3&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed

What is the nerve covered by when connected to?

Prospective development of biocompatible materials for neuro-tubes

See the following diagram of “insertion of a neuro-tube into a mouse”.

http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/aist_today/2004_12/feature/feature_11.html

The neuro-tubes with NC and MDP77 were grafted into the nerve defect made at the center of thigh. The artificial nerve promotes the sprouting and regrowth of the regenerated nerve fivers.

See the following diagram of a “Neuro-tube: An artificial nerve conduit to bridge the nerve defect”

http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/aist_today/2004_12/feature/feature_11.html

Silicone tubes (f1.0 2.0 mm 15mm length) were packed with mixture of type I collagen gel and recombinant NC or MDP77 proteins. After gelation, the tubes were grafted into the defect of the denervated sciatic nerves of rats.

http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/aist_today/2004_12/feature/feature_11.html

Functional Electric Stimulation for sensory and motor functions: Progress and Problems

Dimiter Prodanov1,2, Enrico Marani1,2, Jan Holsheimer1

The first penetrating electrodes were simply thin metal wires or needles, which were inserted into the nervous tissue.

The use of silicone and helical designs in cuff electrodes has improved surgical access and reduced nerve damage

See the following diagram of a “nerve cuff”.

http://www.diagnosticarea.com/publications/FES_Review.html

Hypoglossus Nerve Stimulation in Patients with Upper Airway Obstruction during Sleep

Passive Pacemaker

The first pacemaker developed some years ago was a passive device. It consisted of a pacemaker module with a stimulation cuff implanted at the hypoglossus nerve. The cuff has three contact compartments and is placed around the nerve (Figure 1).

See the following diagram of “electrode cuff placement”.

http://baby.indstate.edu/isb/publications/15th_isob_proceedings/7/7.htm

Implant links nerve cells to electronics

By Kimberly Patch, Technology Research News

Although nerve cells and electronics work quite differently, scientists have for decades been trying to connect them.

Researchers from the University of Michigan have improved the connection by coating electrodes with a carefully controlled mix of plastic and protein.

See the following diagram of “nerve cell to electronics”.

The two black spots are electrodes. The left spot, which has a coating that encourages cell growth, is covered with nerve cells.

http://www.trnmag.com/Stories/2002/072402/Implant_links_nerve_cells_to_electronics_072402.html

Transcutaneous Electrical Neurostimulator (Tens)

A number of studies have been done with these devices. Despite the concept they have not proven themselves to be a major benefit to most headache sufferers whereas they are often beneficial for back and neck problems.

http://www.headaches.org/consumer/topicsheets/tens.html

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Implant to nerves