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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
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Fabrication of the Composite Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (C-RPNI) in the Adult Rat
Published on: February 25, 2020
Interfacing the body's own sensing receptors into neural prosthesis devices
1Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, Denmark.
Summary
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) systems can be improved by using the body's natural sensors for feedback. This approach enhances muscle activation control for movement and organ function restoration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Technology
Background:
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) aids muscle activation for various functions, but improved control remains a challenge.
- Current FES systems often rely on artificial sensors, limiting efficiency and long-term reliability.
- Utilizing the body's natural sensory feedback offers a promising avenue for more effective FES systems.
Observation:
- New electrode developments enable reliable, long-term recording from peripheral nerves for biological feedback.
- Natural sensors, evolved over millions of years, provide optimized feedback signals.
- Research explores using nerve signals from cutaneous nerves and pelvic/sacral nerves for FES control.
Findings:
- Demonstrated FES system using natural sensory feedback for correcting spastic drop foot and restoring hand grasp with fingertip sensory feedback.
- Investigating neural information from bladder afferents via cuff electrodes to control bladder emptying.
- Potential to inhibit unwanted bladder contractions and trigger FES for bladder function.
Implications:
- This research advances FES by integrating natural sensory feedback, mimicking spinal cord functions.
- Potential for more intuitive and efficient control of FES devices for movement restoration.
- Future work aims to expand the use of natural sensors across various clinical FES applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:31What is a Sensory System?
Sensory systems detect stimuli—such as light and sound waves—and transduce them into neural signals that can be interpreted by the nervous system. In addition to external stimuli detected by the senses, some sensory systems detect internal stimuli—such as the proprioceptors in muscles and tendons that send feedback about limb position.
01:33Somatosensation
The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
01:16Sensory Functions of the Skin
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
01:31Introduction to Sensory Receptors
Sensory receptors are vital in our ability to perceive and interpret the world. Sensory receptors are specialized cells in the peripheral nervous system that respond to various stimuli and enable one to experience different sensations. Based on specific criteria, sensory receptors are classified into distinct types.
The first classification criterion is based on cell type, position, and function. Some receptor cells are neurons with free nerve endings, where their dendrites are embedded in the...
The first classification criterion is based on cell type, position, and function. Some receptor cells are neurons with free nerve endings, where their dendrites are embedded in the...
01:11Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System
The somatosensory system is the central and peripheral nervous system component that senses and processes touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and body position or proprioception. The process of sensation takes place at three levels:
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the stimulus...
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the stimulus...
01:26Introduction to Special Senses
Sensory receptors play an integral part in comprehending our external and internal environments. They receive diverse stimuli, converting them into the nervous system's electrochemical signals. This conversion occurs as the stimulus alters the sensory neuron's cell membrane potential, instigating the generation of an action potential. This action potential is subsequently transmitted to the central nervous system (CNS), which integrates with other sensory data or higher cognitive functions.