Electrophysiological Signal Validation of Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI) at Nerve Ending: A Rat Model Experiment
Jeongmok Cho, M.D. Ph.D.1, Joon Pio Hong, M.D. Ph.D.2, Hyunsuk Peter Suh, M.D. Ph.D.3 and John Changsik Pak, M.D.4, 1Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Seoul, Korea, Republic of (South), 2Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical center, University Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Seoul, Korea, Republic of (South), 3Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of (South), 4Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of (South)
Background
As the number of extremity amputations increases, various kinds of prosthetics are being produced, and their advances are being actively discussed. Modern machines are convenient and intuitive, but they require a process that involves amplifying physiological signals to be used effectively. As a countermeasure, the regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) may provide technical support by amplifying electrophysiological signals. We conducted experiments to validate this signal amplification using RPNI rat models.
Methods
Rats were divided randomly into three experimental groups: control, common peroneal nerve (CPN) transection, and RPNI groups. Nerve surgery was performed for each group, and electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) were conducted at the initial surgery and two, four, and eight weeks postoperative.
Results
All implemented RPNIs showed viability and displayed enough vascularity with proper color. There were clear differences in latency and amplitude before and after eight weeks of surgery in all groups (p < 0.05). The RPNI group showed a significantly increased amplitude than the control group after eight weeks (p = 0.031). Latency was increased eight weeks after surgery in all groups. The RPNI group showed relatively clear signs of denervation with abnormal spontaneous activities (ASA) during EMG.
Conclusions
This study objectively demonstrated through nerve conduction study that RPNI actually amplifies neural signals. This study will serve as a basis for RPNI functions as a driving resources of powered prosthesis in the future
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