Fully Customizable, Low-Cost, Multi-Contact Nerve Cuffs for Spatially Selective Neuromodulation

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Peripheral nerve neuromodulation is a promising treatment for drug-resistant neurological disorders.
• Existing multichannel nerve cuffs often require specialized, costly manufacturing equipment.
• A need exists for accessible, low-cost methods to create custom nerve cuffs for research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an inexpensive and repeatable method for fabricating custom multi-contact nerve cuffs.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of these cuffs for selective peripheral nerve stimulation.
• To provide a cost-effective tool for researchers exploring new neuromodulation therapies.

Main Methods:

• Developed a novel, low-cost fabrication technique for multi-contact nerve cuffs.
• Utilized a postproduction PEDOT:PSS coating to enhance the tissue/electrode interface.
• Tested the custom cuffs on the rat sciatic nerve for spatially selective neuromodulation.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated spatially selective neuromodulation of the rat sciatic nerve.
• Achieved preferential activation of the tibialis anterior (TA) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles.
• Validated the effectiveness of the low-cost cuff fabrication method for selective stimulation.

Conclusions:

• The presented method offers an inexpensive, highly repeatable, and customizable approach to fabricating nerve cuffs.
• This technique facilitates advanced selective neuromodulation studies in research settings.
• The developed nerve cuffs are effective for precise nerve activation, supporting future therapeutic development.