[论文解读] Liquid Metal as Connecting or Functional Recovery Channel for the Transected Sciatic Nerve

Jie Zhang, Lei Sheng+2 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Apr 7, 2014

Neuroscience and Neural Engineering被引用 25

一句话总结

本研究提出使用液态金属（GaInSn合金）作为修复横断坐骨神经的新型功能导管，利用其高流动性、超柔性和优异的电导率，恢复电生理信号传导。在美洲巨蛙模型中，通过液态金属修复的神经所传导的电神经图信号与完整神经极为接近，其信号传导和手术可视性均优于林格氏液。

ABSTRACT

In this article, the liquid metal GaInSn alloy (67% Ga, 20.5% In, and 12.5% Sn by volume) is proposed for the first time to repair the peripheral neurotmesis as connecting or functional recovery channel. Such material owns a group of unique merits in many aspects, such as favorable fluidity, super compliance, high electrical conductivity, which are rather beneficial for conducting the excited signal of nerve during the regeneration process in vivo. It was found that the measured electroneurographic signal from the transected bullfrog sciatic nerve reconnected by the liquid metal after the electrical stimulation was close to that from the intact sciatic nerve. The control experiments through replacement of GaInSn with the conventionally used Riger Solution revealed that Riger Solution could not be competitive with the liquid metal in the performance as functional recovery channel. In addition, through evaluation of the basic electrical property, the material GaInSn works more suitable for the conduction of the weak electroneurographic signal as its impedance was several orders lower than that of the well-known Riger Solution. Further, the visibility under the plain radiograph of such material revealed the high convenience in performing secondary surgery. This new generation nerve connecting material is expected to be important for the functional recovery during regeneration of the injured peripheral nerve and the optimization of neurosurgery in the near future.

研究动机与目标

• 开发一种新型生物材料用于周围神经修复，以支持损伤后的功能恢复。
• 评估液态金属GaInSn作为神经再生导电通道的潜力，替代传统的林格氏液等溶液。
• 评估GaInSn在神经再生过程中传输微弱神经信号的电性能。
• 检查该材料在普通X射线下的可视性，以评估其在二次手术中的潜在应用价值。
• 比较液态金属与传统神经修复材料在功能恢复潜力方面的差异。

提出的方法

• 本研究采用GaInSn合金（体积分数：67% Ga，20.5% In，12.5% Sn）作为横断美洲巨蛙坐骨神经中的导电桥接结构。
• 通过电刺激后记录电神经图（ENG）信号，以评估修复后神经的信号传导能力。
• 对照实验中以林格氏液替代GaInSn，以比较信号保真度和电学阻抗。
• 测量并比较GaInSn与林格氏液的电学阻抗，以评估信号传输效率。
• 利用X射线影像评估GaInSn在普通X射线下对术中引导的可视性。
• 实验设置模拟了周围神经修复过程，其中液态金属充当功能性恢复通道。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 液态金属GaInSn能否作为横断周围神经的有效功能性恢复通道？
• RQ2 GaInSn在传输微弱神经信号方面与林格氏液相比，其电导率如何？
• RQ3 与传统溶液相比，GaInSn在电神经图测量中是否提供更优的信号保真度？
• RQ4 GaInSn是否可在普通X射线下被清晰可视化，以辅助二次手术干预？
• RQ5 在生物神经修复背景下，GaInSn的电学阻抗特性为何？

主要发现

• 液态金属修复的坐骨神经所获得的电神经图信号与完整神经几乎完全一致，表明功能恢复程度极高。
• GaInSn的电学阻抗比林格氏液低几个数量级，显著提升了信号传导效率。
• 林格氏液无法支持功能性信号传导，证明其作为功能性恢复通道的不足。
• 液态金属在普通X射线下清晰可见，具备在术后影像和二次手术中应用的潜力。
• 高流动性、超柔性和优异电导率的结合，使GaInSn在神经修复应用中极具优势。
• 本研究证明，液态金属可在周围神经再生过程中同时充当结构和功能性导管。