脉冲电刺激促进周围神经再生的应用

目的　探讨脉冲直流电刺激治疗周围神经损伤的疗效。方法　应用直流脉冲电刺激仪针对周围神经损伤的病人进行电刺激治疗 ,通过随访观察 3～ 6个月后神经功能恢复情况。结果　本组 12 8例闭合性周围神经损伤及神经修复后的病人 ,经 6 0～ 12 0d治疗 ,肌力和皮肤感觉均取得满意效果。结论　直流脉冲电刺激能够提高神经肌肉的兴奋性 ,促进周围神经的再生。在闭合性神经损伤的观察阶段 ,应用电刺激治疗 ,可观察神经的传导功能 ,为手术适应证的选择和预后判断提供了依据     

Electromyogram-Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation for Treatment of the Paralyzed Upper Extremity

Spinal cord lesions at level C5 to C6 lead to loss of hand functions and lesions at C4 to additional deficits of arm functionality. The presented dual channel surface stimulator with dual channel electromyogram (EMG) measurement was developed to investigate control strategies for an EMG-controlled implantable stimulation system and serves in addition as a therapy device for patients with partial innervation but weak muscle force. Four different control strategies for stimulation amplitude are available. The amplitude can be preset manually or can follow the preprocessed EMG signals proportionally. The shoulder control program allows proportional control of both stimulation channels with one EMG channel while the second EMG channel serves as the channel selector. Finally, a special feedback training program triggers a stimulation burst when EMG activity is detected. During a 2 year patient study, 18 patients from 2 hospitals and 1 rehabilitation center performed the feedback training. Almost all patients obtained an improvement of functionality. Apart from muscle strengthening, the feedback effect led to an improvement of proprioception and supported relearning of motions. For the documentation of the training status, functional muscle test (British Medical Research Council) and measurements of power, angle, torque, muscle fatigue, and EMG were performed. Obviously, EMG triggered stimulation provides several advantages compared to conventional passive electrical stimulation.     

Penetration of the Optic Nerve and Falciform Ligament by an Internal Carotid Artery-Ophthalmic Artery Aneurysm: Case Reoport

We report a case of an internal carotid artery (ICA)-ophthalmic artery aneurysm with penetration of the optic nerve. In addition, this case penetrated the falciform ligament, which severely disturbed optic canal unroofing during surgery. This is the first reported case in which penetration of the optic nerve and falciform ligament has been shown. To remove the anterior clinoid process in this case, the ultrasonic bone curette was a useful tool.     

Demand for and Use of Functional Electrical Stimulation Systems and Conventional Orthoses in the Spinal Lesioned Community of the UK

The use of and demand for functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems and conventional orthoses in the spinal cord lesioned population was assessed. The assessment was conducted by a postal survey of the members of the spinal injury associations in the U.K. Out of all the respondents, only 2% had used an FES system for walking. In comparison, 13% had used some kind of orthosis. Of the small numbers who had used an FES system for walking, more than half had no functional walking abilities. The majority of orthosis users had some independent walking ability. The demand for walking improvements was high among the respondents although this was not matched by the demand for improved orthotic solutions. In conclusion, it would appear that there is a need for simple FES systems offering walking improvement to the incomplete spinal cord lesioned (SCI) subject.     

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Robustness of a Second Generation Implantable Stimulator in a Patient With Hemiplegia During 20 Years of Functional Electrical Stimulation of the Common Peroneal Nerve

We evaluated the efficacy and robustness of a second generation implantable stimulator for correcting drop foot (DF) in a patient with left‐sided hemiplegia over 20 years of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the common peroneal nerve (CPN). Dorsal flexion and eversion of the affected foot was partially restored by FES of the superficial region of the CPN innervating mostly the tibialis anterior (TA) and partly peroneus longus (PL) and peroneus brevis (PB) muscles. The reasons for implant failure during the long‐term follow‐up assessment were analyzed and resolving procedures were identified. The stimulator had an average failure rate of once every three years, due to repetitive mechanical load on the lead wires of its internal and/or external unit, and had to be serviced once per year to replace the heel switch integrated into the shoe sole. FES‐associated mechanical trauma to the CPN elicited a thickening of the connective tissue around the CPN and a slightly compromised conduction velocity of the CPN. FES of the CPN, with the second generation implantable stimulator, improved gait parameters of the affected leg during the 20 years period. Long‐term, daily FES enables a functional and reliable recruitment of nerve fibers, thus providing a sufficient dorsal flexion and optimal eversion of the affected foot to sustain unassisted, almost normal gait. Therefore, the presented implant is suitable for very long‐term FES of the CPN.