Microelectronic axon processor

A process for restoring normal function to a severed nerve fascicle, comprising:

• (a) inserting between the severed ends of said fascicle a chip perforated with a plurality of holes, each hole sized to accommodate one dominant axon, said chip containing at least two electrical traces in ohmic contact with the inner surface of each said hole at discrete locations along the axial direction of said hole, said locations being designated a proximal contact and a distal contact, to permit the proximal axons of said severed ends to propagate through said holes and join with distal contacts;
• (b) detecting pulses at each said proximal contact in response to a command;
• (c) detecting function responses generated by applying electrical impulses to each said distal contact;
• (d) applying a blocking potential to selected axon segments through at least one of said contacts;
• and
• (e) electrically connecting each said proximal contact with a distal contact of corresponding function to restore normal nervous communication.

Apparatus for restoring normal function to a severed nerve fascicle comprising:

• a flat planar substrate perforated with a plurality of holes, each hole sized to accommodate one dominant axon;
• a sheath surrounding said flat planar substrate for confronting respective ends of severed nerves one to another at discrete axons;
• at least two electrically conductive traces in ohmic contact with the inner surface of each said hole at discrete locations along the axial direction of said hole, thereby defining a proximal contact and a distal contact;
• means for monitoring the potential at each said contact;
• means for individually applying a blocking potential to at least one contact in each hole;
• and
• means for communicating a potential between preselected pairs of proximal and distal contacts.