Artificial agonist/antagonist coupling in paralyzed muscles: Electronic balance of reinnervated straps from facial activity in the rabbit

Normal striated muscular contraction such as occurs in the face is the result of finely balanced activities monitored by the central nervous system. Previous approaches to rehabilitation have been limited to restoring only motor function, ignoring the proprioceptive input that normally originates at the level of each muscle. In this pilot study, proprioceptive information originating in facial muscles (considered as agonists) is artificially channeled to nerve pedicles, reinnervating straps in the rabbit to produce antagonist action. Further development of this concept can lead to finer control of reinnervated muscles of the face or elsewhere.