Biomechanical properties and microcirculation of peripheral nerves under circular compression are vital factors for nerve repair and for developing neural prostheses. Quasi-static circular compression experiments on six rabbit sciatic nerves were performed. The mean estimated Young's modulus of the sciatic nerves in the transverse direction was 66.9+/-8.0 kPa. The blood perfusion of the nerve started to decrease at a mean pressure of 30.5 mmHg and reached a stable lower level of 30% of pre-compression value at 102.8 mmHg. The findings may make a contribution to safer design of cuff electrodes to be used in neural prostheses.
展开▼
