Fig. 3: Biocompatibility and behavior of the NeuroRing on sciatic nerves.
From: Soft ferroelectret ultrasound receiver for targeted peripheral neuromodulation
a Microscopic image of the implanted NeuroRing wrapped around the sciatic nerve. Inset: Schematic of implantation of the NeuroRing around the sciatic nerve. b, c Microscopic images of the NeuroRing after 42-day implantation showing it tightly wrapped around the nerve tissue. d SEM image showing an intimate NeuroRing–nerve interface. e Hindlimb kinematics during walking (left). Images of toes for rats implanted with a NeuroRing and cuff electrode (middle). Stick diagram decompositions of hindlimb movements (right). f Reconstructed three-dimensional μCT scans of the sciatic nerve after chronic implantation of NeuroRing and cuff electrode. g Triple immunofluorescent staining of NF-200 (green) and Tuj-1 (red), nuclei (blue) of sciatic nerve for the sham control and NeuroRing. h, i Normalized fluorescence intensity of (h) NF-200 (left) and Tuj-1 (right) and (i) TNF-α for cuff electrodes, sham control, and NeuroRing. Data are expressed as mean values ± SD. All error bars indicate ± SD. n = 5 biologically independent animals for each group. ***P < 0.001, and ns means not significant. NF-200: PCuff/Sham = 7.0955E-10; PCuff/Neuro = 1.9283E-9; PSham/Neuro = 0.175. Tuj-1: PCuff/Sham = 3E-6; PCuff/Neuro = 1E-6; PSham/Neuro = 0.392. TNF-α: PCuff/Sham = 8E-6; PCuff/Neuro = 8E-6; PSham/Neuro = 0.979. P values are evaluated through one-sided ANOVA and post-Tukey analysis. j Schematic of EMG performed on gastrocnemius muscle when NeuroRing is triggered by US pulses to stimulate the sciatic nerve. k EMG and their corresponding power spectral analysis. l Representative EMG signals for US on and US off and their corresponding EMG voltage amplitude. Data are expressed as mean values ± SD. All error bars indicate ± SD. n = 5 biologically independent animals for each group. ***P < 0.001. P = 5.7534E-10. P values are evaluated through one-sided ANOVA and post-Tukey analysis.
