Fascicle-Specific Targeting of Longitudinal Intrafascicular Electrodes for Motor and Sensory Restoration in Upper-Limb Amputees

Jonathan Cheng; Zhi Yang; Cynthia K Overstreet; Edward Keefer

doi:10.1016/j.hcl.2021.04.004

Fascicle-Specific Targeting of Longitudinal Intrafascicular Electrodes for Motor and Sensory Restoration in Upper-Limb Amputees

Hand Clin. 2021 Aug;37(3):401-414. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2021.04.004.

Authors

Jonathan Cheng¹, Zhi Yang², Cynthia K Overstreet³, Edward Keefer³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 1801 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. Electronic address: jonathan.cheng@utsouthwestern.edu.
² Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Nils Hasselmo Hall, Room 6-120, 312 Church Street Southeast, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
³ Nerves Incorporated, P.O. Box 141295, Dallas, TX 75214, USA.

PMID: 34253313
DOI: 10.1016/j.hcl.2021.04.004

Abstract

Multichannel longitudinal intrafascicular electrode (LIFE) interfaces provide optimized balance of invasiveness and stability for chronic sensory stimulation and motor recording/decoding of peripheral nerve signals. Using a fascicle-specific targeting (FAST)-LIFE approach, where electrodes are individually placed within discrete sensory- and motor-related fascicular subdivisions of the residual ulnar and/or median nerves in an amputated upper limb, FAST-LIFE interfacing can provide discernment of motor intent for individual digit control of a robotic hand, and restoration of touch- and movement-related sensory feedback. The authors describe their findings from clinical studies performed with 6 human amputee trials using FAST-LIFE interfacing of the residual upper limb.

Keywords: Amputee; Electrical stimulation; Fascicle; Machine learning; Motor decoding; Peripheral nerve; Prosthetic control.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Amputees*
Artificial Limbs*
Electrodes, Implanted
Hand
Humans
Upper Extremity / surgery