Short-Term Bladder-Wall Response to Implantation of Microstimulators
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Walter, James; Riedy, Lisa; King, William; Wheeler, John S.; Najafi, Khalil; Anderson, Carmen; Gudausky, Todd; Dokmeci, Mehmet
- Source
- The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine; January 1997, Vol. 20 Issue: 3 p319-323, 5p
- Subject
- Language
- ISSN
- 10790268; 20457723
AbstractThis study examined the histological response of the bladder wall serosa to the implantation of wireless microstimulators secured with a single polypropylene suture. Two to three microstimulators were implanted in each of three cats for an eight week implantation period to allow sufficient time for a bladder-wall injury-response to develop. Gross observation revealed encapsulation of the microstimulators with no perforation to the bladder lumen or migration from the bladder wall. Histological evaluation confirmed that all the microstimulators were encapsulated with a thin connective tissue sheath and a thickened subserosal layer. There was no remarkable difference in tissue morphology compared with normal bladder wall sections for five of seven stimulators. Two microstimulators in one cat revealed a moderate to severe inflammatory response confined to a small area around the stimulator. In a second cat, a suture extended through the bladder wall. The microstimulators were observed with a scanning electron microscope after explantation. The electrode surfaces, bonding interface between silicon and glass and insulating films that were exposed to biological fluids were carefully inspected. All these observations indicate that the glass capsule reliably protected the sealed cavity of the microstimulators from moisture. These results indicate that the microstimulator should be considered for further studies such as effects of stimulation and long-term implantation. (J Spinal Cord Med1997; 20:319-323)