An Implantable Neuroprosthetic Device to Normalize Bladder Function after SCI

Abstract : 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 year, we have developed the first implantable stimulator and successfully tested it in both anesthetized animals and awake chronic spinal cord injured animals. Efficient voiding was induced by the implanted stimulator in awake chronic spinal cord injured animals. These results indicated that an implantable stimulator for pudendal nerve stimulation/blockade could be developed for human subjects to restore both continence and micturition functions after SCI.