MICROSTIMULATION OF THE LUMBOSACRAL SPINAL CORD--CHRONI

这项研究的目的是探索慢性病的可能性 对脊髓的微刺激。如果成功，这样的技术 可能是修复生殖器、尿路、肠道和其他器官的假体的一部分 脊髓损伤患者的运动功能。信息来自 脊髓微刺激研究是设计师特别需要的 为截瘫患者提供神经假体 腰骶部以上的脊髓有损伤。在……里面 具体地说，有可能选择性地兴奋神经细胞 同时刺激膀胱逼尿肌 与神经元有抑制性突触联系的中间神经元 支配外道括约肌。同样，离散控制 阴茎勃起、射精、排便和控制 肢体的躯体肌肉组织可以通过选择性脊椎来实现 脊髓微刺激水平以下的脊髓损伤。 在对人体脊髓微刺激进行评估之前， 必须开发一种合适的慢性刺激微电极，并使其 在动物身上证明了安全性和有效性。支持的合同 过去五年的研究表明，这是可能的 在大脑中插入、刺激和维持离散的导线微电子 在没有不适当的组织损伤的基础上进行慢性骶髓移植。 然而，目前微电极/引线系统的设计 在脊髓运动过程中造成过度的机械损伤 在椎管内，必须加以改善。这项新的研究项目 将完成刺激参数安全范围的建立 并将研究使用薄膜、集成电路 腰骶段脊髓内的微电极。

The objective of this research is to explore the possibility of chronic microstimulation of the spinal cord. If successful, such a technique could be part of a prosthesis to restore genito-urinary, bowel and other motor functions to victims of spinal cord injury. Information from spinal cord microstimulation studies is especially needed by designers of neural prostheses for paraplegic individuals who have sustained injuries to their spinal cords above the lumbosacral region. In particular, it may be possible to selectively excite neurons innervating the bladder detrusor muscle while simultaneously stimulating interneurons which have inhibitory synaptic connections with neurons innervating the external urethral sphincter. Likewise, discrete control of penile erection, ejaculation, bowel evacuation and control of the somatic musculature of the limbs may be possible by selective spinal cord microstimulation below the level of spinal cord injury. Before microstimulation of the spinal cord can be evaluated in humans, a suitable chronic stimulating microelectrode must be developed and its safety and effectiveness demonstrated in animals. Contract supported research over the past five years has demonstrated that it is possible to insert, stimulate and maintain discrete wire microelectodes in the sacral spinal cord on a chronic basis without undue tissue damage. However, the present design of the microelectrode/lead wire system causes excessive mechanical damage during movement of the spinal cord within the spinal canal and must be improved. This new research project will complete the establishment of safe ranges of stimulation parameters and will investigate the use of thin film, integrated circuit microelectrodes in the lumbosacral spinal cord.