Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Material considerations for peripheral nerve interfacing

  • Materials for Neural Interfaces
  • Published:
MRS Bulletin Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Multi-fingered prosthetic limbs are now capable of performing complex movements, closely simulating those of the lost human arm/hand in amputees. Conveying natural control and perception of such sophisticated robotic limbs requires direct interfacing with the nervous system of the users. Both the brain and transected peripheral nerves have been proposed as appropriate locations for such neural interfaces. In the peripheral nerves, several electrode designs have been used successfully to record motor signals, and through stimulation, used to convey sensation in long-term amputee human volunteers. Here we review the advantages and limitations of peripheral nerve interfaces (PNIs) in relation to the desired characteristics for safety and performance. We compare current PNI electrodes and materials designed to increase recording sensitivity and to achieve selective stimulation of different nerves such as those carrying mechanical sensation and limb position information. Emphasis is placed on novel electrode materials, including biological coatings, conductive polymers, and nanostructured modifications. Successful development of reliable PNIs will not only enable natural control and feel of future robotic prosthetics, but will likely be a centerpiece technology in the development of multiple bionic organs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. Carpaneto, S. Micera, F. Zaccone, F. Vecchi, P. Dario, IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng. 11, 346 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. C. Cipriani, M. Controzzi, M.C. Carrozza, J. Neuroeng. Rehabil. 8, 29 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. J.E. Uellendahl, Phys. Med. Rehabil. Clin. N. Am. 11, 639 (2000).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. T.R. Farrell, R.F. Weir, IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng. 15, 111 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. T.A. Kuiken, G. Li, B.A. Lock, R.D. Lipschutz, L.A. Miller, K.A. Stubblefield, K.B. Englehart, JAMA 301, 619 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. P.D. Marasco, T.A. Kuiken, J. Neurosci. 30, 16008 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. J.K. Chapin, K.A. Moxon, R.S. Markowitz, M.A. Nicolelis, Nat. Neurosci. 2, 664 (1999).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. A.B. Schwartz, X.T. Cui, D.J. Weber, D.W. Moran, Neuron 52, 205 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. J.D. Simeral, S.P. Kim, M.J. Black, J.P. Donoghue, L.R. Hochberg, J. Neural Eng. 8, 025027 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. L.R. Hochberg, M.D. Serruya, G.M. Friehs, J.A. Mukand, M. Saleh, A.H. Caplan, A. Branner, D. Chen, R.D. Penn, J.P. Donoghue, Nature 442, 164 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. N.A. Fitzsimmons, W. Drake, T.L. Hanson, M.A. Lebedev, M.A. Nicolelis, J. Neurosci. 27, 5593 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. P.B. Brown, H.R. Koerber, R. Millecchia, Brain Res. 1011, 14 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. S. Lee, G.E. Carvell, D.J. Simons, Nat. Neurosci. 11, 1430 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. W.M. Grill, S.E. Norman, R.V. Bellamkonda, Annu. Rev. Biomed. Eng. 11, 1 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. N.G. Hatsopoulos, J.P. Donoghue, Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 32, 249 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. V. Gilja, C.A. Chestek, I. Diester, J.M. Henderson, K. Deisseroth, K.V. Shenoy, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 58, 1891 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. G.G. Naples, J.T. Mortimer, A. Scheiner, J.D. Sweeney, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 35, 905 (1988).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. F.J. Rodríguez, D. Ceballos, M. Schüttler, A. Valero, E. Valderrama, T. Stieglitz, X. Navarro, J. Neurosci. Methods 98, 105 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. W. Shain, L. Spataro, J. Dilgen, K. Haverstick, S. Retterer, M. Isaacson, M. Saltzman, J.N. Turner, IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng. 11, 186 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. B. Rabischong, D. Larrain, P. Rabischong, R. Botchorishvili, G. Fraisse, S. Gallego, P. Gaydier, J.M. Chardigny, P. Avan, Surg. Endosc. 25, 3706 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. D.J. Tyler, D.M. Durand, IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng. 10, 294 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. L.E. Fisher, D.J. Tyler, J.S. Anderson, R.J. Triolo, J. Neural Eng. 6, 046010 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. V. Vince, M.E. Brelen, J. Delbeke, I.M. Colin, J. Neuroimmunol. 165, 121 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. B. Wodlinger, D.M. Durand, IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng. 17, 461 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. D. Durand, H.J. Park, B. Wodlinger, Conf. Proc. IEEE Eng. Med. Biol. Soc. 1, 3326 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  26. D.J. Weber, R.B. Stein, D.G. Everaert, A. Prochazka, J. Neural Eng. 4, S168 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. R.A. Gaunt, J.A. Hokanson, D.J. Weber, J. Neural Eng. 6, 55009 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. G.S. Dhillon, S.M. Lawrence, D.T. Hutchinson, K.W. Horch, J. Hand Surg. Am. 29, 605; discussion 616 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. G.S. Dhillon, K.W. Horch, IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng. 13, 468 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. P.M. Rossini, S. Micera, A. Benvenuto, J. Carpaneto, G. Cavallo, L. Citi, C. Cipriani, L. Denaro, V. Denaro, G. Di Pino, F. Ferreri, E. Guglielmelli, K.P. Hoffmann, S. Raspopovic, J. Rigosa, L. Rossini, M. Tombini, P. Dario, Clin. Neurophysiol. 121, 777 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. X. Navarro, T.B. Krueger, N. Lago, S. Micera, T. Stieglitz, P. Dario, J. Peripher. Nerv. Syst. 10, 229 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. T. Lefurge, E. Goodall, K. Horch, L. Stensaas, A. Schoenberg, Ann. Biomed. Eng. 19, 197 (1991).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. J.A. Malmstrom, T.G. McNaughton, K.W. Horch, Ann. Biomed. Eng. 26, 1055 (1998).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. T.G. McNaughton, K.W. Horch, J. Neurosci. Methods 70, 103 (1996).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. S.M. Lawrence, G.S. Dhillon, W. Jensen, K. Yoshida, K.W. Horch, IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng. 12, 345 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. N. Lago, K. Yoshida, K.P. Koch, X. Navarro, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 54, 281 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. N. Lago, X. Navarro, J. Peripher. Nerv. Syst. 12, 108 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. N. Lago, E. Udina, A. Ramachandran, X. Navarro, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 54, 1129 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. T. Boretius, J. Badia, A. Pascual-Font, M. Schuettler, X. Navarro, K. Yoshida, T. Stieglitz, Biosens. Bioelectron. 26, 62 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. B.R. Bowman, R.C. Erickson, Ann. Biomed. Eng. 13, 75 (1985).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. A. Branner, R.A. Normann, Brain Res. Bull. 51, 293 (2000).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. A. Branner, R.B. Stein, E. Fernandez, Y. Aoyagi, R.A. Normann, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 51, 146 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. D.J. Edell, J.N. Churchill, I.M. Gourley, Biomater. Med. Devices Artif. Organs 10, 103 (1982).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. A. Mannard, R.B. Stein, D. Charles, Science 183, 547 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. T. Akin, K. Najafi, R.H. Smoke, R.M. Bradley, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 41, 305 (1994).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. L. Wallman, Y. Zhang, T. Laurell, N. Danielsen, Biomaterials 22, 1187 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. R.M. Bradley, X. Cao, T. Akin, K. Najafi, J. Neurosci. Methods 73, 177 (1997).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. G.T. Kovacs, C.W. Storment, J.M. Rosen, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 39, 893 (1992).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. A. Ramachandran, M. Schuettler, N. Lago, T. Doerge, K.P. Koch, X. Navarro, K.P. Hoffmann, T. Stieglitz, J. Neural Eng. 3, 114 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. X. Navarro, S. Calvet, F.J. Rodriguez, T. Stieglitz, C. Blau, M. Buti, E. Valderrama, J.U. Meyer, J. Peripher. Nerv. Syst. 3, 91 (1998).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. N. Lago, D. Ceballos, F.J. Rodriguez, T. Stieglitz, X. Navarro, Biomaterials 26, 2021 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. J. Castro, P. Negredo, C. Avendano, Brain Res. 1190, 65 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. K. Garde, E. Keefer, B. Botterman, P. Galvan, M.I. Romero, Front Neuroeng. 2, 5 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. S.P. Lacour, R. Atta, J. Fitzgerald, M. Blamire, E. Tarte, J. Fawcett, Sens. Actuators, A 147, 456 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. A. Srinivasan, L. Guo, R.V. Bellamkonda, Conf. Proc. IEEE Eng. Med. Biol. Soc. 2011, 253 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  56. D.R. Merrill, M. Bikson, J.G. Jefferys, J. Neurosci. Methods 141, 171 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. W.M. Grill, in Indwelling Neural Implants, W.M. Reichert, Ed. (CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2008).

    Google Scholar 

  58. E. Jan, J.L. Hendricks, V. Husaini, S.M. Richardson-Burns, A. Sereno, D.C. Martin, N.A. Kotov, Nano Lett. 9, 4012 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. S. Venkatraman, K. Elkabany, J.D. Long, Y. Yao, J.M. Carmena, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 56, 15 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. M.P. Mattson, R.C. Haddon, A.M. Rao, J. Mol. Neurosci. 14, 175 (2000).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. P. Galvan-Garcia, E.W. Keefer, F. Yang, M. Zhang, S. Fang, A.A. Zakhidov, R.H. Baughman, M.I. Romero, J. Biomater. Sci., Polym. Ed. 18, 1245 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. E.W. Keefer, B.R. Botterman, M.I. Romero, A.F. Rossi, G.W. Gross, Nat. Nanotechnol. 3, 434 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. G. Cellot, F.M. Toma, Z.K. Varley, J. Laishram, A. Villari, M. Quintana, S. Cipollone, M. Prato, L. Ballerini, L, J. Neurosci. 31, 12945 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. J.C. Williams, J.A. Hippensteel, J. Dilgen, W. Shain, D.R. Kipke, J. Neural Eng. 4, 410 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. A. Mercanzini, P. Colin, J.C. Bensadoun, A. Bertsch, P. Renaud, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 56, 1909 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. V. Vince, M.E. Brelen, J. Delbeke, I.M. Colin, J. Neuroimmunol. 159, 75 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. B.D. Winslow, P.A. Tresco, Biomaterials 31, 1558 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. B.K. Leung, R. Biran, C.J. Underwood, P.A. Tresco, Biomaterials 29, 3289 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. R. Biran, D.C. Martin, P.A. Tresco, Exp. Neurol. 195, 115 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. X. Cui, V.A. Lee, Y. Raphael, J.A. Wiler, J.F. Hetke, D.J. Anderson, D.C. Martin, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 56, 261 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. X. Cui, J. Wiler, M. Dzaman, R.A. Altschuler, D.C. Martin, Biomaterials 24, 777 (2003).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. L. Spataro, J. Dilgen, S. Retterer, A.J. Spence, M. Isaacson, J.N. Turner, W. Shain, Exp. Neurol. 194, 289 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Y. Zhong, R.V. Bellamkonda, Brain Res. 1148, 15 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. A. Mercanzini, S.T. Reddy, D. Velluto, P. Colin, A. Maillard, J.C. Bensadoun, J. A. Hubbell, P. Renaud, J. Controlled Release 145, 196 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. G.L. Yao, H. Kiyama, Brain Res. Mol. Brain Res. 32, 308 (1995).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. M.J. Ignatius, N. Sawhney, A. Gupta, B.M. Thibadeau, O.R. Monteiro, I.G. Brown, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 40, 264 (1998).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. W. He, G.C. McConnell, R.V. Bellamkonda, J. Neural Eng. 3, 316 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. S. Bossi, A. Benvenuto, P. Wieringa, G. Di Pino, E. Guglielmelli, T. Boretius, T. Stieglitz, X. Navarro, S. Micera, Conf. Proc. IEEE Eng. Med. Biol. Soc. 2010, 1527 (2010).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. H. Sorribas, D. Braun, L. Leder, P. Sonderegger, L. Tiefenauer, J. Neurosci. Methods 104, 133 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. E. Azemi, C.F. Lagenaur, X.T. Cui, Biomaterials 32, 681 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. P.R. Kennedy, S.S. Mirra, R.A. Bakay, Neurosci. Lett. 142, 89 (1992).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. J.O. Winter, S.F. Cogan, J.F. Rizzo, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. Part B 81, 551 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. J.O. Winter, N. Han, R. Jensen, S.F. Cogan, J.F. Rizzo, Conf. Proc. IEEE Eng. Med. Biol. Soc. 2009, 7151 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  84. R.A. Green, N.H. Lovell, L.A. Poole-Warren, Acta Biomater. 6, 63 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. J. Huang, X. Hu, L. Lu, Z. Ye, Q. Zhang, Z. Luo, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 93, 164 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  86. M.I. Romero, N. Rangappa, M.G. Garry, G.M. Smith, J. Neurosci. 21, 8408 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. X. Hu, J. Cai, J. Yang, G.M. Smith, Exp. Neurol. 223, 153 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. C.A. Phillips, Crit. Rev. Biomed. Eng. 16, 105 (1988).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. M. Egermann, P. Kasten, M. Thomsen, Int. Orthop. 33, 1101 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  90. J.D. Stewart, Muscle Nerve 28, 525 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  91. T.M. Brushart, V. Mathur, R. Sood, G.M. Koschorke, J. Hand Surg. Am. 20, 557 (1995).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Z. Lertmanorat, D.M. Durand, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 51, 1242 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. K. Yoshida, K. Horch, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 40, 492 (1993).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. E.V. Goodall, T.M. Lefurge, K.W. Horch, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 38, 846 (1991).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. P. Lotfi, K. Garde, A.K. Chouhan, E. Bengali, M.I. Romero-Ortega, Front. Neuroeng. 4, 11 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. M. Sahin, M.A. Haxhiu, D.M. Durand, I.A. Dreshaj, J. Appl. Physiol. 83, 317 (1997).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University or Texas at Arlington/U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 76019, Arlington, TX, USA

    Young-tae Kim

  2. Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Arlington/U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 76019, Arlington, TX, USA

    Mario I. Romero-Ortega

Authors
  1. Young-tae Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mario I. Romero-Ortega
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Young-tae Kim.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kim, Yt., Romero-Ortega, M.I. Material considerations for peripheral nerve interfacing. MRS Bulletin 37, 573–580 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2012.99

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2012.99

Search

Navigation