Device for measuring nerve fiber action potentials

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of biological devices. Disclosed is a device for measuring nerve fiber action potentials. The device can not only synchronously measure the action potentials of all nerve fibers in a peripheral nerve, but can also slow down the inactivation rate of the peripheral nerve, thereby improving the stability of the measurement results. The device comprises a box, wherein a working chamber and a thermal insulation chamber below the working chamber are defined in the box; a vertical partition is provided in the working chamber; the vertical partition divides the working chamber into a stimulation chamber and a recording chamber; a stimulation electrode group is provided in the stimulation chamber; an oxygen-containing-liquid inlet and an oxygen-containing-liquid outlet are provided in side walls of the stimulation chamber; the oxygen-containing-liquid inlet is in communication with an oxygen-containing-liquid source via a peristaltic pump; a plurality of recording electrode groups are provided in the recording chamber, and are distributed in multiple layers; and the vertical partition plate can hold a peripheral nerve to be tested. The present application is intended to improve the performance of a nerve action potential measurement device.

Description

A device for measuring nerve fiber action potential Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of biological device technology, and in particular to a device for measuring nerve fiber action potential. Background Art

[0002] Electrophysiological assessment of peripheral nerve injury and regeneration is both a routine clinical examination and an indispensable method in basic research. The essential function of peripheral nerves is to carry out bidirectional signal transmission—transmitting motor intent to target organs and transmitting changes in target organ perception back to the brain. Therefore, recording peripheral nerve action potentials is a crucial and fundamental technique, enabling researchers to better understand the physiological function of nerves. Currently, electrophysiological methods commonly used in basic research to assess peripheral nerve injury and regeneration are divided into in vivo and ex vivo recording methods. In vivo methods primarily involve maintaining the peripheral nerve in its anatomical position and using an electrophysiological recording system to capture compound action potentials during spontaneous or evoked peripheral nerve firing. Ex vivo methods, on the other hand, involve removing the peripheral nerve and placing it in a container containing tissue preservation fluid to record compound action potentials under evoked conditions. However, because peripheral nerves are composed of dozens, hundreds, or even more individual nerve fibers arranged in a three-dimensional structure, both in vivo and ex vivo recording methods can only detect compound action potentials, and cannot simultaneously detect action potentials from all peripheral nerve fibers. Technical issues

[0003] Since peripheral nerves are composed of dozens, hundreds or even more single nerve fibers through a three-dimensional structure, both in vivo and in vitro recording methods can only detect compound action potentials, but cannot synchronously detect the action potentials of all peripheral nerve fibers. Technical Solutions

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a nerve fiber action potential measuring device, which can not only synchronously detect the action potentials of all nerve fibers in the peripheral nerves, but also slow down the inactivation rate of the peripheral nerves and improve the stability of the detection results.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, an embodiment of the present application provides a nerve fiber action potential measuring device, comprising a box body; a working room and an insulation room located below the working room are restricted in the box body; a vertical partition is provided in the working room; the vertical partition divides the working room into a stimulation room and a recording room; a stimulation electrode group is provided in the stimulation room; an oxygen-containing liquid inlet and an oxygen-containing liquid outlet are provided on the side wall of the stimulation room; the oxygen-containing liquid inlet is connected to an oxygen-containing liquid source through a peristaltic pump; a plurality of recording electrode groups are provided in the recording room, and the plurality of recording electrode groups are distributed in multiple layers; the vertical partition can clamp the peripheral nerve to be measured.

[0006] Furthermore, the stimulation electrode group includes a plurality of electrode slide rods arranged side by side; one end of the electrode slide rod passes through the side wall of the stimulation chamber and is connected thereto, and the other end is located in the middle of the stimulation chamber and is provided with a connecting hole running through it from top to bottom; an electrode wire for binding the peripheral nerve to be tested is provided in the connecting hole.

[0007] Furthermore, the vertical partition plate includes an upper partition plate and a lower partition plate; the upper partition plate and the lower partition plate are both provided with a semicircular slot, and the size of the circular slot formed when the upper partition plate and the lower partition plate are closed is adapted to the size of the peripheral nerve to be tested.

[0008] Furthermore, two slots extending in the vertical direction are provided on the side wall of the box body; and the vertical partition plate is inserted into the slots of the box body.

[0009] Furthermore, the size of the circular slot on the vertical partition plate is 500um to 5mm.

[0010] Furthermore, each layer of recording electrode group includes two recording electrode groups symmetrically arranged relative to the center line of the circular card slot; the recording electrode group is a PCB board; the PCB board is a concentric circle with a wiring form of 1 / 4, and the number of the wiring is 3 to 10.

[0011] Furthermore, the straight end of the recording electrode group passes through the side wall of the recording chamber and is connected thereto, and the curved end is located inside the recording chamber.

[0012] Furthermore, the recording chamber is filled with mineral oil.

[0013] Furthermore, both the stimulation chamber and the recording chamber are provided with wireless temperature real-time display modules.

[0014] Furthermore, the box body is integrally formed by 3D printing. Beneficial effects

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] 1. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device of the embodiment of the present application converts a three-dimensional nerve trunk into a group of nerve fibers in a plane by setting up multiple recording electrode groups distributed in multiple layers, and realizes the detection of the action potentials of all nerve fibers of the peripheral nerve through calculation.

[0017] 2. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device of the embodiment of the present application provides an oxygen-containing liquid inlet connected to an oxygen-containing liquid source through a peristaltic pump and an oxygen-containing liquid outlet connected to the outside of the stimulation chamber on the side wall of the stimulation chamber, so that the stimulation chamber has an oxygen-permeating function, thereby ensuring the basal metabolism of the nerves, delaying the survival time of the nerves in vitro, and improving the stability of the test results.

[0018] 3. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device of the embodiment of the present application ensures the consistency of experimental conditions and further improves the accuracy of detection by setting a temperature control chamber below the stimulation chamber.

[0019] 4. The box body in the nerve fiber action potential measuring device in the embodiment of the present application is integrally formed by 3D printing, which has higher strength and longer service life. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0021] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for measuring nerve fiber action potential according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the stimulation electrode group and the recording electrode group in the nerve fiber action potential measuring device according to an embodiment of the present application. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0025] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "install", "connect", and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0026] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. Throughout this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0027] 1 and 2 , an embodiment of the present application provides a device for measuring nerve fiber action potential, including a box body 1 , a stimulation electrode group 2 , and a plurality of recording electrode groups 3 .

[0028] The box body 1 is a cubic structure, which defines a working room 4 and an insulation chamber 5 located below the working room 4. The working room 4 is a cubic structure with an upward opening, while the insulation chamber 5 is a cubic structure with a forward opening. The insulation chamber 5 ensures a constant temperature in the working room 4 and allows for more precise control of experimental conditions. In addition, to increase the strength of the box body 1, it can be integrally formed through 3D printing. Specifically, a constant temperature bag (not shown) can be placed in the insulation chamber 5 to achieve a constant temperature. Before use, the bag can be placed in the refrigerator and removed after the temperature reaches 37°C.

[0029] A vertical partition plate 6 is provided in the studio 4, which separates the studio 4 into a stimulation chamber 42 on the left and a recording chamber 43 on the right. In order to facilitate the compression of the peripheral nerve to be tested, a slot 41 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the front and rear side walls of the studio 4, and the vertical partition plate 6 is plugged in the slot 41. The vertical partition plate 6 comprises an upper partition plate 61 and a lower partition plate 62. Both the upper partition plate 61 and the lower partition plate 62 are provided with a semicircular draw-in groove 63, and the size of the circular draw-in groove formed after the upper partition plate 61 and the lower partition plate 62 are closed is adapted to the size of the peripheral nerve to be tested. It should be noted that the vertical partition plate 6 can be multiple, and the diameter of the circular draw-in groove on each vertical partition plate 6 is between 500um and 5mm, and is spaced 300um apart. Thus, the vertical partition plate 6 that is adapted can be selected to compress the peripheral nerve to be tested according to the size of the peripheral nerve, thereby adapting to peripheral nerves of different sizes. It should be noted that, in order to avoid causing interference, the box body 1 and the vertical partition plate 6 are both made of non-conductive materials such as silicone or acrylic.

[0030] In order to better achieve the stimulation of different points on the nerves, a stimulation electrode group 2 is provided in the stimulation chamber 42. Specifically, the stimulation electrode group 2 includes a plurality of electrode slides 21 arranged side by side in the left and right directions. One end of the electrode slide 21 passes through the side wall of the stimulation chamber 42 and is connected thereto, and the other end is suspended in the middle of the stimulation chamber 42 and is provided with a connection hole 211 that passes through it from top to bottom. The connection hole 211 is provided with an electrode wire (not shown in the figure) for winding and binding the peripheral nerve to be tested. The electrode wire can be made of stainless steel or silver wire, thereby ensuring the stimulation of all nerve fibers in the cross section of the peripheral nerve. And one end of the electrode slide 21 extending out of the side wall of the stimulation chamber 42 is convenient for connection with external equipment.

[0031] The front and rear sidewalls of the stimulation chamber 42 are also equipped with an oxygenated liquid inlet 421 and an oxygenated liquid outlet 422. The oxygenated liquid inlet 421 is connected to the oxygenated liquid source via a peristaltic pump, while the oxygenated liquid outlet 422 is connected to the outside of the stimulation chamber 42. This provides oxygen flow within the stimulation chamber 42, ensuring basal neuronal metabolism, delaying the survival of isolated neurons, and improving the stability of test results. It should be noted that the temperature of the oxygenated liquid must be adjusted to 37° before the oxygenated liquid is introduced.

[0032] To record as many nerve fiber action potentials as possible, multiple recording electrode groups 3 are provided within recording chamber 43. In some embodiments, there are six electrode sliders 21 and six recording electrode groups 3, each of which is divided into three layers: upper, middle, and lower. Each layer of recording electrode groups 3 includes two recording electrode groups 3 symmetrically arranged about the centerline of the circular slots in vertical partition plate 6. This allows a three-dimensional nerve trunk to be transformed into a planar group of nerve fibers, allowing the action potentials of individual nerve fibers to be recorded at multiple levels.

[0033] In order to shorten the electrode placement time, the recording electrode group 3 uses a PCB board. The wiring form of the PCB board is a 1 / 4 concentric circle, and the number of wirings is 3 to 10. Each wiring is a recording electrode. The straight end of the recording electrode group 3 passes through the side wall of the recording chamber 43 and is connected thereto, and the curved end is located in the recording chamber 43. The recording chamber 43 is filled with mineral oil, ensuring a good recording environment. The vertical partition plate 6 not only allows the compression of peripheral nerves to be tested of different sizes, but also ensures the relative independence of the two liquids in the stimulation chamber 42 and the recording chamber 43.

[0034] In order to precisely control the constant temperature experimental conditions, both the stimulation chamber 42 and the recording chamber 43 are provided with a wireless temperature real-time display module 7 .

[0035] The method of using the nerve fiber action potential measuring device of the embodiment of the application is as follows:

[0036] 1. After adjusting the temperature of the liquid in the device, dissect and obtain the peripheral nerve to be tested in vitro, and select an appropriate vertical partition plate 6 according to the diameter of the peripheral nerve to be tested;

[0037] 2. Use collagenase to disintegrate one end of the peripheral nerve to be tested into a state of several single nerve fibers. Then press the peripheral nerve to be tested into the vertical partition plate 6, ensuring that the intact nerve trunk is located on the stimulation electrode group 2. Use a tool to pick up the scattered single nerve fibers and place them on the corresponding PCB board, ensuring that each nerve fiber contacts the corresponding electrode on the PCB board;

[0038] 3. Start the peristaltic pump to maintain an aerobic environment in the stimulation chamber 42;

[0039] 4. Estimate the number of visible nerve fibers and determine the number of recording electrode sets 3 to be used;

[0040] 5. Connect the device for synchronizing stimulation and recording to obtain the data recorded by recording electrode group 3.

[0041] 6. Calculations are performed based on the data recorded by the recording electrode group 3 to obtain the detected values ​​of the action potentials of all nerve fibers. It should be noted that the specific calculation method is a prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0042] The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A device for measuring nerve fiber action potential, characterized in that: It comprises a box body; a working room and an insulation room located below the working room are restricted in the box body; a vertical partition is arranged in the working room; the vertical partition divides the working room into a stimulation room and a recording room; a stimulation electrode group is arranged in the stimulation room; an oxygen-containing liquid inlet and an oxygen-containing liquid outlet are arranged on the side wall of the stimulation room; the oxygen-containing liquid inlet is connected to an oxygen-containing liquid source through a peristaltic pump; a plurality of recording electrode groups are arranged in the recording room, and the plurality of recording electrode groups are distributed in multiple layers; the vertical partition can clamp the peripheral nerve to be tested.

2. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stimulation electrode group includes a plurality of electrode slide bars arranged side by side; one end of the electrode slide bar passes through the side wall of the stimulation chamber and is connected thereto, and the other end is located in the middle of the stimulation chamber and is provided with a connecting hole that passes through the upper and lower parts; an electrode wire for binding the peripheral nerve to be tested is provided in the connecting hole.

3. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The vertical partition plate includes an upper partition plate and a lower partition plate; the upper partition plate and the lower partition plate are both provided with a semicircular slot, and the size of the circular slot formed when the upper partition plate and the lower partition plate are closed is adapted to the size of the peripheral nerve to be tested.

4. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Two slots extending in the vertical direction are arranged on the side wall of the box body; the vertical partition plate is inserted into the slots of the box body.

5. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The size of the circular slot on the vertical partition plate is 500um to 5mm.

6. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each layer of recording electrode groups includes two recording electrode groups symmetrically arranged relative to the center line of the circular card slot; the recording electrode group is a PCB board; the PCB board is a concentric circle with a wiring form of 1 / 4, and the number of the wiring is 3 to 10.

7. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The straight end of the recording electrode group passes through the side wall of the recording chamber and is connected thereto, and the curved end is located in the recording chamber.

8. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The recording chamber is filled with mineral oil.

9. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The stimulation chamber and the recording chamber are both provided with wireless temperature real-time display modules.

10. The nerve fiber action potential measuring device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The box body is integrally formed by 3D printing.

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