In vitro multichannel single-unit recordings of action potentials from mouse sciatic nerve

Electrode arrays interfacing with peripheral nerves are essential for neuromodulation devices targeting peripheral organs to relieve symptoms. To modulate (i.e., single-unit recording and stimulating) individual peripheral nerve axons remains a technical challenge. Here, we report an in vitro setup to allow simultaneous single-unit recordings from multiple mouse sciatic nerve axons. The sciatic nerve (~30 mm) was harvested and transferred to a tissue chamber, the ~5mm distal end pulled into an adjacent recording chamber filled with paraffin oil. A custom-built multi-wire electrode array was used to interface with split fine nerve filaments. Single-unit action potentials were evoked by electrical stimulation and recorded from 186 axons, of which 49.5% were classed A-type with conduction velocities (CV) greater than 1 m/s and 50.5% were C-type (CV < 1 m/s). The single-unit recordings had no apparent bias towards A- or C-type axons, were robust and repeatable for over 60 minutes, and thus an ideal opportunity to assess different neuromodulation strategies targeting peripheral nerves. For instance, ultrasonic modulation of action potential transmission was assessed using the setup, indicating increased nerve conduction velocity following ultrasound stimulus. This setup can also be used to objectively assess the design of next-generation electrode arrays interfacing with peripheral nerves.