Fabrication of the Composite Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (C-RPNI) in the Adult Rat

Summary

The following manuscript describes a novel method for developing a biologic, closed loop neural feedback system termed the composite regenerative peripheral nerve interface (C-RPNI). This construct has the ability to integrate with peripheral nerves to amplify efferent motor signals while simultaneously providing afferent sensory feedback.

Abstract

Recent advances in neuroprosthetics have enabled those living with extremity loss to reproduce many functions native to the absent extremity, and this is often accomplished through integration with the peripheral nervous system. Unfortunately, methods currently employed are often associated with significant tissue damage which prevents prolonged use. Additionally, these devices often lack any meaningful degree of sensory feedback as their complex construction dampens any vibrations or other sensations a user may have previously depended on when using more simple prosthetics. The composite regenerative peripheral nerve interface (C-RPNI) was developed as a stable, biologic construct with the ability to amplify efferent motor nerve signals while providing simultaneous afferent sensory feedback. The C-RPNI consists of a segment of free dermal and muscle graft secured around a target mixed sensorimotor nerve, with preferential motor nerve reinnervation of the muscle graft and sensory nerve reinnervation of the dermal graft. In rats, this construct has demonstrated the generation of compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), amplifying the target nerve's signal from the micro- to milli-volt level, with signal to noise ratios averaging approximately 30-50. Stimulation of the dermal component of the construct generates compound sensory nerve action potentials (CSNAPs) at the proximal nerve. As such, this construct has promising future utility towards the realization of the ideal, intuitive prosthetic.

Introduction

Extremity amputations affect nearly 1 in 190 Americans¹, and their prevalence is projected to increase from 1.6 million today to over 3.6 million by 2050². Despite documented use for over a millennium, the ideal prosthetic has yet to be realized³. Currently, there exist complex prosthetics capable of multiple joint manipulations with the potential to reproduce many motor functions of the native extremity^4,5. However, these devices are not considered intuitive as the desired prosthetic motion is typically functionally separate from the inpu....

Protocol

All animal experiments are performed under the approval of the University of Michigan's Committee on the Use and Care of Animals.

NOTE: Donor rats are allowed free access to food and water prior to skin and muscle donation procedures. Euthanasia is performed under deep anesthesia followed by intra-cardiac potassium chloride injection with a secondary method of bilateral pneumothorax. Any strain of rat can theoretically be utilized with this experiment; however, our laboratory has achieved consistent results in both male and female Fischer F344 rats (~200-250 g) at two to four months of age. Donor rats must be isogenic to the experimenta....

Results

Construct fabrication is considered unsuccessful if rats develop an infection or do not survive surgical anesthesia. Previous research has indicated these constructs require approximately three months to revascularize and reinnervate^2,3,17,36. Following the three-month recovery period, construct testing can be pursued to examine viability. Surgical exposure of t.......

Discussion

The C-RPNI is a novel construct that provides simultaneous amplification of a target nerve's motor efferent signals with provision of afferent sensory feedback. In particular, the C-RPNI has unique utility for those living with proximal amputations as their motor and sensory fascicles cannot easily be mechanically separated during surgery. Instead, the C-RPNI utilizes the inherent preferential reinnervation properties of the nerve itself to encourage sensory fiber reinnervation to dermal sensory end organs and motor .......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
#15 Scalpel	Aspen Surgical, Inc	Ref 371115	Rib-Back Carbon Steel Surgical Blades (#15)
4-0 Chromic Suture	Ethicon	SKU# 1654G	P-3 Reverse Cutting Needle
5-0 Chromic Suture	Ethicon	SKU# 687G	P-3 Reverse Cutting Needle
6-0 Ethilon Suture	Ethicon	SKU# 697G	P-1 Reverse Cutting Needle (Nylon suture)
8-0 Monofilament Suture	AROSurgical	T06A08N14-13	Black polyamide monofilament suture on a threaded tapered needle
Experimental Rats	Envigo	F344-NH-sd	Rats are Fischer F344 Strain
Fluriso (Isofluorane)	VetOne	13985-528-40	Inhalational Anesthetic
Micro Motor High Speed Drill with Stone	Master Mechanic	Model 151369	Handheld rotary tool; kit comes with multiple fine grit stones
Oxygen	Cryogenic Gases	UN1072	Standard medical grade oxygen canisters
Potassium Chloride	APP Pharmaceuticals	63323-965-20	Injectable form, 2 mEq/mL
Povidone Iodine USP	MediChoice	65517-0009-1	10% Topical Solution, can use one bottle for multiple surgical preps
Puralube Vet Opthalmic Ointment	Dechra	17033-211-38	Corneal protective ointment for use during procedure
Rimadyl (Caprofen)	Zoetis, Inc.	NADA# 141-199	Injectable form, 50 mg/mL
Stereo Microscope	Leica	Model M60	User can adjust magnification to their preference
Surgical Instruments	Fine Science Tools	Various	User can choose instruments according to personal preference or from what is currently available in their lab
Triple Antibiotic Ointment	MediChoice	39892-0830-2	Ointment comes in sterile, disposable packets
VaporStick 3	Surgivet	V7015	Anesthesia tower with space for isofluorane and oxygen canister
Webcol Alcohol Prep	Coviden	Ref 6818	Alcohol prep wipes; use a new wipe for each prep