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Human distal sciatic nerve fascicular anatomy: Implications for ankle control using nerve-cuff electrodes . Kenneth J. Gustafson, PhD; Yanina Grinberg, MS; Sheeba Joseph, BS; Ronald J. Triolo, PhD . Aim Map human distal sciatic nerve fascicular anatomy. Relevance
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Human distal sciatic nerve fascicular anatomy: Implications for ankle control using nerve-cuff electrodes Kenneth J. Gustafson, PhD; Yanina Grinberg, MS; Sheeba Joseph, BS; Ronald J. Triolo, PhD
Aim • Map human distal sciatic nerve fascicular anatomy. • Relevance • Detailed knowledge of distal sciatic nerve anatomy is required to design neural prostheses that: • Restore standing balance. • Prevent foot drop. • Provide active propulsion during ambulation.
Methods • Dissected 3 complete sciatic nerves and branches from piriformis to each muscle entry point to characterize branching patterns and diameters. • Created sciatic nerve fascicle maps from serial sections of each distal terminus below knee through anastomosis of tibial and common fibular nerves above knee.
Results • Similar branching patterns and fascicle maps were observed across specimens. • Fascicules innervating primary plantar flexors, dorsiflexors, invertors, and evertors were distinctly separate and functionally organized in proximal tibial, proximal common fibular, and distal sciatic nerves. • However, fascicles from individual muscles were not apparent at these levels.
Conclusions • These neuroanatomical data are being used to: • Design nerve-cuff electrodes for selective control of ankle movement • Improve current lower-limb neural prostheses.