Bergmeister Konstantin D, Hader Marie, Lewis Soeren, Russold Michael-Friedrich, Schiestl Martina, Manzano-Szalai Krisztina, Roche Aidan D, Salminger Stefan, Dietl Hans, Aszmann Oskar C
Vienna, Austria; and Newcastle, United Kingdom From the Christian Doppler Laboratory for the Restoration of Extremity Function, Departments of Surgery and Cognitive Biology, and Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna; Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH; and Newcastle NHS Trust, Foundation Programme.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016 Jan;137(1):153-162. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001926.
Myoelectric prostheses lack a strong human-machine interface, leading to high abandonment rates in upper limb amputees. Implantable wireless electromyography systems improve control by recording signals directly from muscle, compared with surface electromyography. These devices do not exist for high amputation levels. In this article, the authors present an implantable wireless electromyography system for these scenarios tested in Merino sheep for 4 months.
In a pilot trial, the electrodes were implanted in the hind limbs of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats. After 8 or 12 weeks, impedance and histocompatibility were assessed. In the main trial, the system was tested in four Merino sheep for 4 months. Impedance of the electrodes was analyzed in two animals. Electromyographic data were analyzed in two freely moving animals repeatedly during forward and backward gait.
Device implantation was successful in all 28 animals. Histologic evaluation showed a tight encapsulation after 8 weeks of 78.2 ± 26.5 µm subcutaneously and 92.9 ± 31.3 µm on the muscular side. Electromyographic recordings show a distinct activation pattern of the triceps, brachialis, and latissimus dorsi muscles, with a low signal-to-noise ratio, representing specific patterns of agonist and antagonist activation. Average electrode impedance decreased over the whole frequency range, indicating an improved electrode-tissue interface during the implantation. All measurements taken over the 4 months of observation used identical settings and showed similar recordings despite changing environmental factors.
This study shows the implantation of this electromyography device as a promising alternative to surface electromyography, providing a potentially powerful wireless interface for high-level amputees.
肌电假肢缺乏强大的人机接口，导致上肢截肢者的遗弃率很高。与表面肌电图相比，可植入式无线肌电图系统通过直接从肌肉记录信号来改善控制。对于高位截肢水平，此类设备尚不存在。在本文中，作者展示了一种针对这些情况的可植入式无线肌电图系统，该系统在美利奴绵羊身上进行了4个月的测试。
在一项试点试验中，将电极植入24只Sprague-Dawley大鼠的后肢。8周或12周后，评估阻抗和组织相容性。在主要试验中，该系统在四只美利奴绵羊身上进行了4个月的测试。对两只动物的电极阻抗进行了分析。在两只自由活动的动物向前和向后步态期间反复分析肌电数据。
所有28只动物的设备植入均成功。组织学评估显示，皮下8周后形成了78.2±26.5μm的紧密包膜，肌肉侧为9
