Development of a Remote-Controlled Implantable Rat Sacral Nerve Stimulation System.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Urology

Background:

• Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a clinical treatment for incontinence, but its mechanisms remain unclear.
• Current research often uses acute stimulation models, lacking a chronic rodent model.
• A need exists for a reliable animal model to study chronic SNS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fully implantable, remotely controllable device for chronic SNS in rats.
• To establish a novel animal model for investigating the long-term effects and mechanisms of SNS.

Main Methods:

• A custom-designed implantable pulse generator with a platinum electrode was created.
• Rats underwent two surgical procedures, with the second procedure involving electrode fixation.
• Device function and electrode placement were verified using CT imaging and tail tremor response; micturition frequency was assessed.

Main Results:

• Electrode fixation in the second procedure significantly improved placement precision.
• Accurate electrode placement correlated with a positive tail tremor response.
• Both bipolar and unipolar chronic SNS treatments successfully reduced micturition frequency in rats.

Conclusions:

• The developed stimulating device offers an efficient and reliable method for chronic SNS studies in a rodent model.
• This model facilitates further research into the mechanisms underlying sacral nerve stimulation's therapeutic effects.