W:Ti Intraneural Flexible Electrode for Acute Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Studies

Abstract

A flexible tungsten:titanium electrode array was fabricated and tested in acute rodent studies. The aim of this study was to understand if this electrode design could stimulate peripheral nerves and if the stimulation could be selective. The results showed that stimulation of the nerves was possible and that at threshold and at low stimulation currents more than half of the electrode contacts could, to a certain extent, selectively stimulate the Tibialis Anterior and the Gastrocnemius muscles. The relevance of this feasibility study is a better understanding of how different material combinations and electrode configurations influence neural stimulation.