A primate model of an intra-cortically controlled FES prosthesis for grasp

描述(由申请人提供)：该项目的目标是开发一种灵长类动物模型的上肢神经肌肉刺激系统，通过皮质内记录电极的方式控制。脊髓损伤的人会瘫痪，因为他们失去了激活肌肉的能力。如果通过直接对肌肉或神经施加电刺激的方式激活这些患者的肌肉，它们仍然可以收缩。同样，大脑中正常控制运动的区域仍然活跃，但由于受伤，它们与肌肉的连接已经失去。凯斯西储大学(CWRU)的研究人员已经证明，植入的功能性电刺激(FES)神经假体可以用来恢复四肢瘫痪患者的抓取功能。尽管不同凡响，但这些系统仅限于预先编程的抓取模式，需要相当有意识的关注。一个更自然的控制系统，具有更多的自由度，可以提供极大的改进功能。在西北大学，我们开发了一种方法，基于猴子大脑的微电极记录，预测抓握运动中手臂和手肌肉的活动。从一个长期植入的电极阵列，可以预测肩部、手臂和手部肌肉的活动。这种类型的电极已经产生了超过3年的维持记录，最近它已经被批准用于人类患者的实验使用。我们认为，这样的大脑皮层内记录提供了通过自然思维过程同时控制多个自由度的可能性。通过结合西北大学和CWRU小组的优势，我们建议开发一种足以控制神经假体的脑机接口。这种神经假体系统的灵长类模型的开发将是在人类患者身上实施这一系统的重要一步。这一应用包括以下具体目标：1)我们建议使用植入Mnkey的初级运动皮质的100电极阵列来为一组解码器提供输入，该解码器旨在产生对特定手部肌肉活动的实时预测。2)我们建议使用目标1中开发的控制算法和植入的FES假体来恢复药物神经阻滞引起的暂时性肌肉瘫痪后的抓握。3)我们建议在不使用初始肌电测量的情况下开发这些控制算法，这是为患者实施该系统所必需的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to develop a primate model of an upper extremity neuromuscular stimulation system controlled by means of intra-cortical recording electrodes. Individuals with spinal cord injury become paralyzed because they have lost the ability to activate their muscles. These patients' muscles can still be made to contract if they are activated by means of electrical stimuli applied directly to the muscle or nerves. Likewise, the areas of the brain that normally control movement are still active, but their connection to the muscles has been lost as a result of the injury. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) have demonstrated that implanted functional electrical stimulation (FES) neuroprostheses can be used to restore grasp functions to individuals with tetraplegia. Although remarkable, these systems are limited to pre-programmed grasp patterns, and require considerable conscious attention. A more natural control system, with more degrees of freedom could provide greatly improved function. At Northwestern, we have developed methods to predict the activity of arm and hand muscles during grasping movements based on micro-electrode recordings from the brain of a monkey. From a single, chronically implanted array of electrodes, predictions can be made of the activity of shoulder, arm and hand muscles. This type of electrode has yielded maintained recordings for periods in excess of 3 years, and it has recently been approved for experimental use in human patients. We believe that intra-cortical recordings like these provide the potential for simultaneous control of multiple degrees of freedom through natural thought processes. By combining the strengths of the Northwestern and CWRU groups, we propose to develop a brain-computer interface adequate for controlling a neuroprosthesis. The development of a primate model of this neuroprosthetic system would be a major step toward its implementation in human patients. This application includes the following specific aims: 1) We propose to use a 100-electrode array implanted in the primary motor cortex of a mnkey to provide the input to a set of decoders designed to produce real-time predictions of the activity of particular hand muscles. 2) We propose to use the control algorithms developed in aim 1 and an implanted FES prosthesis to restore grasp following temporary muscle paralysis induced by a pharmacological nerve block. 3) We propose to develop these control algorithms without the use of initial EMG measurements, as would be necessary in order to implement the system for a patient.