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Intraoperative evaluation of the spiral nerve cuff electrode on the femoral nerve trunk

K H Polasek1, M A Schiefer1, G C J Pinault2, R J Triolo1,2,3 and D J Tyler1,2

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Evaluation of the Case Western Reserve University spiral nerve cuff electrode on the femoral nerve trunk was performed intraoperatively in four subjects undergoing femoral-popliteal bypass surgery. The threshold, nerve size and selective activation capabilities of the electrode were examined. The activation thresholds for the first muscle to be recruited were 6.3, 9, 10.6, and 37.4 nC with pulse amplitudes ranging from 0.3 to 1 mA. The femoral nerve was found to have an elliptical cross-section with a major axis average length of 9 mm (8–12 mm) and a minor axis length of 1.5 mm. In all four subjects selective activation of the sartorius was obtained. In two subjects, the rectus femoris could also be selectively activated and in one subject the vastus medialis was selectively activated. Each electrode had four independent contacts that were evaluated separately. Small air bubbles were formed in the space over some contacts, preventing stimulation. This occurred in one contact in each electrode, leaving three effective stimulation channels. This issue has been corrected for future studies.


PACS

87.85.Wc Neural engineering

87.19.R- Mechanical and electrical properties of tissues and organs

87.19.L- Neuroscience

Subjects

Medical physics

Biological physics

Dates

Issue 6 (December 2009)

Received 13 March 2009, accepted for publication 12 October 2009

Published 9 November 2009



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