A neural electrode for closed-loop vagus nerve recording and stimulation to control autonomic reflexes

The vagus nerve is a mixed nerve that maintains physiological homeostasis through autonomic reflexes. Nerve afferents collect information from the periphery. They transmit physiological parameters sent from the heart, guts, and so forth. Efferent fibers on the other hand control organs. Disruptions in the autonomic nervous system are responsible for pathologic conditions such as heart failure and diabetes. Pharmaceutical treatments are available, but often have side effects such as dizziness, muscular weakness, or hypotension. The electrical stimulation of vagus nerve fibers showed the successful treatment of pathologic conditions. The recording of afferent fibers can be correlated to the presence of biomarkers of various diseases. Here we adapt an existing, intrafascicular electrode to enable recording and stimulation of the vagus nerve. The hereby created diagnostic and therapeutic tool could substitute pharmaceutical treatment. Vagal nerve histology has been used to adapt the electrode model dimensions. The dimensional adaptation showed to be accurate. Electrochemical characterization showed improved electrochemical parameters. Further in vivo testing should confirm the electrode's capabilities.