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Dynamic loading characteristics of an intradural spinal cord stimulator
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Dynamic loading characteristics of an intradural spinal cord stimulator

M. S Oliynyk, G. T Gillies, H Oya, S Wilson, C. G Reddy and M. A Howard
Journal of applied physics, Vol.113(2), p.26103
01/14/2013
DOI: 10.1063/1.4775835

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Abstract

We have measured the forces that act on the electrode-bearing surface of an intradural neuromodulator designed to be in direct contact with the pial surface of the spinal cord, as part of our effort to develop a new method for treating intractable pain. The goal was to investigate the pressures produced by this device on the spinal cord and compare them with normal intrathecal pressure. For this purpose, we employed a dual-sensor arrangement that allowed us to measure the response of a custom-designed silicone spinal cord surrogate to the forces applied by the device. We found that the device had a mean compliance of ≈63 μN μm−1, and that over a 3 mm range of compression, the mid-span pressure it exerted on the spinal cord was ≈1.88 × 103 Pa = 14.1 mm Hg, which lies within the range of normal intrathecal pressure in humans. We thank R. Shurig and colleagues of Evergreen Medical Technologies LLC for skillful manufacture of the prototype HSCMS devices and for providing Figure 1(b).

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