Motivation
Spinal cord injury disrupts communication between the brain and body, often impairing autonomic functions like bladder control in addition to motor and sensory abilities. Recovery of bladder function is critical to quality of life in SCI patients — yet effective, accessible therapies remain limited. The Texas Biomedical Device Center is addressing this by developing neuromodulation-based interventions that promote functional recovery through targeted neuroplasticity. While much of the Center's clinical focus has emphasized limb rehabilitation, bladder dysfunction in SCI represents a vital and often-overlooked application for neuromodulation strategies like vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) — and one with a clear path toward FDA-approved closed-loop therapeutic devices.
Our Solution
In preclinical studies, TxBDC explored using precisely timed VNS to facilitate recovery of bladder function following SCI in rodent models. During behavioral sessions, bladder pressure was monitored in real time and VNS was manually triggered during voiding events based on electrophysiological cues and pressure surges — testing whether this stimulation protocol could modulate the autonomic circuits responsible for micturition and promote neuroplasticity. This foundational work contributes to the development of eventual closed-loop VNS systems for human use, where stimulation timing would be driven autonomously by physiological feedback rather than manual triggering.
My Contributions
Executed VNS protocols across 60+ animal sessions in the spinal cord injury preclinical program, monitoring bladder pressure and electrophysiological signals in real time and manually delivering stimulation during voiding events — ensuring accurate trigger timing aligned with spontaneous physiological activity. Fabricated surgical-grade neural interface hardware including microfabricated vagus nerve cuffs, headcaps, and electrode cabling used during implantation, applying the same precision assembly standards required for clinical-grade neural interface devices. Conducted routine health monitoring across the full animal cohort — tracking weight, detecting tumors, checking for overgrooming, and documenting general well-being — maintaining the animal care and data consistency standards required for ethical preclinical research.
Project Outcomes
Looking to discuss further? Contact me at research@mkmaharana.com
