Micro-channel electrode neural interfaces: restoring bladder control
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair
Abstract
In the Basic Technology project, we have developed a novel design of peripheral nerve interface. By placing axons into polymeric micro-channels hosting embedded electrodes the extracelluar amplitude of action potentials is greatly increased, allowing for robust recording, noise suppression and efficient stimulation. In the Translational project, we plan to implement our concept to restore bladder control first in an experimental rat model, and then in a clinical therapeutic veterinary model. The electrode interfaces will be implanted to record electrical activity from afferents, including those that encode bladder fullness and pressure. Non regenerative then regenerative nerve interfaces with their communication system will be fabricated and tested to treat incontinent dogs suffering from spinal cord injury. Results from our study will provide a direct pathway for treating the equivalent condition in human patients.
Organisations
Publications
Moshayedi P
(2014)
The relationship between glial cell mechanosensitivity and foreign body reactions in the central nervous system
in Biomaterials
Smith PD
(2015)
"GAG-ing with the neuron": The role of glycosaminoglycan patterning in the central nervous system.
in Experimental neurology
Kwon BK
(2015)
Large animal and primate models of spinal cord injury for the testing of novel therapies.
in Experimental neurology
FitzGerald JJ
(2009)
Microchannel electrodes for recording and stimulation: in vitro evaluation.
in IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering
Lacour SP
(2009)
Long micro-channel electrode arrays: a novel type of regenerative peripheral nerve interface.
in IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
Minev IR
(2012)
High sensitivity recording of afferent nerve activity using ultra-compliant microchannel electrodes: an acute in vivo validation.
in Journal of neural engineering
FitzGerald JJ
(2012)
A regenerative microchannel neural interface for recording from and stimulating peripheral axons in vivo.
in Journal of neural engineering
Lemmon VP
(2014)
Minimum information about a spinal cord injury experiment: a proposed reporting standard for spinal cord injury experiments.
in Journal of neurotrauma
Moshayedi P
(2010)
Mechanosensitivity of astrocytes on optimized polyacrylamide gels analyzed by quantitative morphometry.
in Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal
Carwardine D
(2016)
Canine olfactory ensheathing cells from the olfactory mucosa can be engineered to produce active chondroitinase ABC.
in Journal of the neurological sciences
Granger N
(2013)
Use of an implanted sacral nerve stimulator to restore urine voiding in chronically paraplegic dogs.
in Journal of veterinary internal medicine
Delivopoulos E
(2012)
Concurrent recordings of bladder afferents from multiple nerves using a microfabricated PDMS microchannel electrode array.
in Lab on a chip
Lacour SP
(2010)
Flexible and stretchable micro-electrodes for in vitro and in vivo neural interfaces.
in Medical & biological engineering & computing
Das S
(2016)
Bio-inspired nano tools for neuroscience.
in Progress in neurobiology
Chew DJ
(2013)
A microchannel neuroprosthesis for bladder control after spinal cord injury in rat.
in Science translational medicine
Musick KM
(2015)
Chronic multichannel neural recordings from soft regenerative microchannel electrodes during gait.
in Scientific reports
| Description | The grant has designed a new nerve interface that will be further developed to provide sensory recording for control of bladder emptying. It has also completed a clinical trial of a bladder emptying device for dog patients with spinal cord injury. |
| Exploitation Route | Treatment of dog and human patients for bladder control Establishing a new clinical treatment for dogs Working with Finetech to design a dog bladder emptying device Developing a recording microchannel device for future commercialisation. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |
| URL | http://www.brc.cam.ac.uk |
| Description | We have applied a bladder stimulator to a series of 30 veterinary patient dogs, who have lost bladder control due to spinal cord injury. The devices have restored urinary control, and are likely to become standard treatment in paraplegic dogs. Beneficiaries: Vets and their patients |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Description | Cheltenham science festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | session on spinal injuries at cheltenham festival. Around 300 contacts with vets on bladder control after spinal injury |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Japan spinal injury society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Health professionals |
| Results and Impact | Discussions on future policy for Japanese spinal injury patients Various enquiries from clinicians, researchers, patients |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Toledo spinal injury centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Discussions with health care professionals and researchers Talk about future treatments |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |