Intraoperative Evaluation of the First Flat Interface Nerve Electrode for a Standing Neuroprosthesis: A Case Report

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) can produce coordinated contractions of paralyzed muscles through activation of the peripheral motor nerves to partially restore the functional movements lost due to spinal cord injury (SCI). The long-term goal of our research is to restore standing and stepping function using a flat interface nerve electrode (FINE) via selective activation of target muscles innervated by the femoral nerve. The data presented here come from the first intraoperative experiment ever conducted using a FINE on a human volunteer. Implantation and explantation of the FINE were accomplished successfully and without complications or need for special surgical instruments. Selective and graded stimulation of muscles occurred when using an 8 channel FINE.