Injectable Ventral Spinal Stimulator Evokes Programmable and Biomimetic Hindlimb Motion

Spinal cord neuromodulation can restore partial to completelossof motor functions associated with neuromotor disease and trauma.Current technologies have made substantial progress but have limitationsas dorsal epidural or intraspinal devices that are either remote toventral motor neurons or subject to surgical intervention in the spinaltissue. Here, we describe a flexible and stretchable spinal stimulatordesign with nanoscale thickness that can be implanted by minimallyinvasive injection through a polymeric catheter to target the ventralspinal space of mice. Ventrolaterally implanted devices exhibitedsubstantially lower stimulation threshold currents and more preciserecruitment of motor pools than did comparable dorsal epidural implants.Functionally relevant and novel hindlimb movements were achieved viaspecific stimulation patterns of the electrodes. This approach holdstranslational potential for improving controllable limb function followingspinal cord injury or neuromotor disease.

Automated summary

Spinal cord neuromodulation can restore partial to complete loss of motor functions associated with neuromotor disease and trauma. A flexible and stretchable spinal stimulator design with nanoscale thickness has been developed to target the ventral spinal space of mice through minimally invasive injection. This approach holds translational potential for improving controllable limb function following spinal cord injury or neuromotor disease.