Nerve injuries represent a clinical area that has few adjunctive measures for stimulating regeneration. Therefore, severe nerve injuries often have poor prognosis for regaining function. When there is a long period of denervation, end organs undergo atrophy. With long periods of disability there is, with rare exception, incomplete restoration of function. The long-term goal is to design an optimal signal for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration in humans using electromagnetic field (EMF) stimulation, and thereby to reduce time it takes to reinnervate end organs. The proposed study will focus on a systematic testing of the effects of various electromagnetic fields on nerve regeneration in a sensory nerve model in vitro. A previously developed Multifunctional EMF Stimulator will be redesigned for this purpose. A signal which had previously shown effects on nerve regeneration, both in vitro and in vivo, will be used as the base line for the study. This signal will serve as a first reference in defining which parameters of the EM fields are of most importance, in order to define an optimal signal for future clinical use.PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION; Once efficacy of EMF signals on nerve regeneration is proved, an application for FDA approval can be submitted. If approved, this can result in a commercial product to enhance nerve regeneration. There is a large number of clinical nerve injuries with poor prognosis for a full recovery of function. The results can be also of interest in other areas.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS)
