Implantable Neuroprosthetic Device to Normalize Bladder Function after SCI.

摘要

The long-term goal of our project is to develop a novel neuroprosthetic device to restore the functions of the urinary bladder for SCI people without further damaging the nervous system. Advanced technologies in electrical and computer engineering will be applied to design the novel neuroprosthetic device. Based on our previous studies, we propose in this project to use pudendal nerve stimulation and blockade to restore both continence and micturition after SCI. Our strategy does not require sacral posterior root rhizotomy, preserves the spinal reflex functions of the bowel and sexual organs, and more importantly provides the opportunity for SCI people to benefit from any advance in neural regeneration and repair techniques in the future. During the last 3 years, we have successfully designed and developed a wireless controlled, wireless charged, small implantable stimulator for pudendal nerve stimulation and/or block, and tested its functionality in animal experiments using cats. These results have laid the foundation for us to further design and develop an implantable stimulator for human application in the future.