Abstract
Background: Current management of permanent facial paralysis centersonnervegraftingandmuscletransfer;however, limitations of those procedures call for other options. Objectives: To determine the durability and biocompatibility of implanted artificial muscle in a gerbil model and the degree of inflammation and fibrosis at the host tissue-artificial muscle interface. Methods: Electroactive polymer artificial muscle(EPAM) devicesengineeredinmedical-gradesiliconewereimplanted subcutaneously in 13 gerbils. The implanted units were stimulated with 1 kVat 1 Hz, 24 h/d via a function generator. Electrical signal input/output was recorded up to 40 days after implantation. The animals were euthanized between23and65days after implantation,andthehosttissue- implant interface was evaluated histologically. Results: The animals tolerated implantation of the EPAM devices well, with no perioperative deaths. The muscle devices created motion for a mean of 30.3 days (range, 19-40 days), with a mean of 2.6×106 cycles (range, 1.6×106 to 3.5×106 cycles). Histologic examination of the explanted devices revealed the development of a minimal fibrous capsule surrounding the implants, with no evidence of bacterial infection or inflammatory infiltrate. No evidence of device compromise, corrosion, or silicone breakdown was noted. Conclusions: Artificial muscle implanted in this shortterm animal model was safe and functional in this preliminary study. We believe that EPAM devices will be a safe and viable option for restoration of facial motions in patients with irreversible facial paralysis.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 413-418 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2012 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
Cite this
Artificial muscle for reanimation of the paralyzed face : Durability and biocompatibility in a gerbil model. / Ledgerwood, Levi G.; Tinling, Steven; Senders, Craig W; Wong-Foy, Annjoe; Prahlad, Harsha; Tollefson, Travis Tate.
In: Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, Vol. 14, No. 6, 11.2012, p. 413-418.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Artificial muscle for reanimation of the paralyzed face
T2 - Durability and biocompatibility in a gerbil model
AU - Ledgerwood, Levi G.
AU - Tinling, Steven
AU - Senders, Craig W
AU - Wong-Foy, Annjoe
AU - Prahlad, Harsha
AU - Tollefson, Travis Tate
PY - 2012/11
Y1 - 2012/11
N2 - Background: Current management of permanent facial paralysis centersonnervegraftingandmuscletransfer;however, limitations of those procedures call for other options. Objectives: To determine the durability and biocompatibility of implanted artificial muscle in a gerbil model and the degree of inflammation and fibrosis at the host tissue-artificial muscle interface. Methods: Electroactive polymer artificial muscle(EPAM) devicesengineeredinmedical-gradesiliconewereimplanted subcutaneously in 13 gerbils. The implanted units were stimulated with 1 kVat 1 Hz, 24 h/d via a function generator. Electrical signal input/output was recorded up to 40 days after implantation. The animals were euthanized between23and65days after implantation,andthehosttissue- implant interface was evaluated histologically. Results: The animals tolerated implantation of the EPAM devices well, with no perioperative deaths. The muscle devices created motion for a mean of 30.3 days (range, 19-40 days), with a mean of 2.6×106 cycles (range, 1.6×106 to 3.5×106 cycles). Histologic examination of the explanted devices revealed the development of a minimal fibrous capsule surrounding the implants, with no evidence of bacterial infection or inflammatory infiltrate. No evidence of device compromise, corrosion, or silicone breakdown was noted. Conclusions: Artificial muscle implanted in this shortterm animal model was safe and functional in this preliminary study. We believe that EPAM devices will be a safe and viable option for restoration of facial motions in patients with irreversible facial paralysis.
AB - Background: Current management of permanent facial paralysis centersonnervegraftingandmuscletransfer;however, limitations of those procedures call for other options. Objectives: To determine the durability and biocompatibility of implanted artificial muscle in a gerbil model and the degree of inflammation and fibrosis at the host tissue-artificial muscle interface. Methods: Electroactive polymer artificial muscle(EPAM) devicesengineeredinmedical-gradesiliconewereimplanted subcutaneously in 13 gerbils. The implanted units were stimulated with 1 kVat 1 Hz, 24 h/d via a function generator. Electrical signal input/output was recorded up to 40 days after implantation. The animals were euthanized between23and65days after implantation,andthehosttissue- implant interface was evaluated histologically. Results: The animals tolerated implantation of the EPAM devices well, with no perioperative deaths. The muscle devices created motion for a mean of 30.3 days (range, 19-40 days), with a mean of 2.6×106 cycles (range, 1.6×106 to 3.5×106 cycles). Histologic examination of the explanted devices revealed the development of a minimal fibrous capsule surrounding the implants, with no evidence of bacterial infection or inflammatory infiltrate. No evidence of device compromise, corrosion, or silicone breakdown was noted. Conclusions: Artificial muscle implanted in this shortterm animal model was safe and functional in this preliminary study. We believe that EPAM devices will be a safe and viable option for restoration of facial motions in patients with irreversible facial paralysis.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84872105541&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84872105541&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1001/archfacial.2012.696
DO - 10.1001/archfacial.2012.696
M3 - Article
C2 - 22986911
AN - SCOPUS:84872105541
VL - 14
SP - 413
EP - 418
JO - JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery
JF - JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery
SN - 2168-6076
IS - 6
ER -