Transverse elasticity and blood perfusion of sciatic nerves under in situ circular compression

Biomechanical properties and microcirculation of peripheral nerves under circular compression are vital factors for nerve repair and for developing neural prostheses. Quasi-static circular compression experiments on six rabbit sciatic nerves were performed. The mean estimated Young's modulus of the sciatic nerves in the transverse direction was 66.9+/-8.0 kPa. The blood perfusion of the nerve started to decrease at a mean pressure of 30.5 mmHg and reached a stable lower level of 30% of pre-compression value at 102.8 mmHg. The findings may make a contribution to safer design of cuff electrodes to be used in neural prostheses.