Development of Surrogate Spinal Cords for the Evaluation of Electrode Arrays Used in Intraspinal Implants

• Author / Creator

  Cheng,Cheng

• A surrogate spinal cord was developed to test the mechanical stability of electrode
  arrays for intraspinal implants. The mechanical and surface properties of
  candidate materials were tested. The elastic modulus was characterized using
  dynamic mechanical analysis. Forces required to indent the surrogate cords to
  specified depths was measured. Frictional forces were measured by pulling a
  needle out at a controlled rate. The results were compared to actual spinal cords,
  either to value from literature or ex vivo measurements. Surrogate cords with the
  most suitable properties (formaldehyde crosslinked gelatin, 12 wt% in water)
  were implanted with two types of intraspinal electrode arrays (one made of
  individual microwires and another of microwires anchored with a solid base), and
  an elongation was applied. Arrays with solid bases impeded the deformation of
  the cord suggesting that they could cause tissue damage in vivo, while arrays
  without a base moved freely with the cord.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Mechanical testing
  • Gelatin
  • Surrogate spinal cord
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Intraspinal Microstimulations
  • Silicone Elastomer

• Graduation date

  Spring 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3M60H

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.