PDMS Microchannel Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface

We have fabricated a soft silicone structure to support the regeneration of a sciatic nerve. The device consists of 70 parallel (120 x 110 mu m(2)) channels through which axons extend and then reconnect to the muscles on the other side of the device. Through histology and electrophysiology, we show that axons grow through the device and functionality of the muscle control is restored. Nerve functionality as demonstrated with stimulated electromyography (EMG) recordings is still intact at 9 months after implantation. Future work on this device will include electrodes for recording and stimulating the regenerating nerve.