Progress in Peripheral Neural Interfaces

Current developments in peripheral neural interfaces are facilitating their translation to clinical applications such as devices for use in human - machine interfaces (HMI) for advanced active prostheses. This chapter talks about the background of the anatomy of the nervous system, and then focuses mainly on the progress and methods used to address three challenges. The three challenges include (i) interface selectivity, (ii) device reach, and (iii) implanted device long-term stability and biocompatibility outlined for the extrafascicular and intrafascicular approaches. The chapter briefly discusses the state of the art of devices for each approach. Finally, it highlights the key advances such as the application of microfabrication techniques and the translation from animal to human. Advances in device modeling and cursory investigations of the use of nanotechnologies and the relevance of each in overcoming current issues of the state of the art are also discussed.