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CONDUCTING POLYMER-COATED CARBON MICROFIBERS FOR LONG-TERM STIMULATION OF INJURED SPINAL CORD: PERFORMANCE, OPTIMIZATION AND PERSPECTIVES
Hugo Vara Riveraand 5 co-authors
Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM)
FENS Forum 2026 (2026)
Barcelona, Spain
Board PS04-08PM-094
Presentation
Date TBA
Board: PS04-08PM-094
Event Information
Poster Board
PS04-08PM-094
Poster
View posterAbstract
Electroactive microfiber-based scaffolds can aid neural tissue repair. We have investigated the electrical and structural performance of different types of carbon microfibers (CMFs) coated with conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly[(4-styrenesulfonic acid)-co-(maleic acid)] (PEDOT:PSS-co-MA) for in vitro and in vivo long-term electrical stimulation (ES).
Chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) procedures were used to characterize polymer-coated CMFs (PCMFs) of different lengths relevant for scaffold design. 4 mm-long PCMFs withstood two million biphasic pulse ES without reaching cytotoxic voltages, with 6 mm length producing optimal results. Although scanning electron microscopy (SEM) unveiled some deterioration in the polymer coating of 6 mm PCMFs, voltage responses didn’t significantly change, assuring the safety of these fibers for ES.
A 12 mm-long, 20-microfiber assembly interconnected by a central cobalt microwire was designed to test the electrical performance of PCMFs in vivo in a model of spinal cord-injured pig. ES was applied through the assembly for 10 days up to 1.5 million pulses, remaining in safety voltages, and the assembly was electrically functional at 1 month after implantation, suggesting its suitability for sub-chronic ES.
We then synthesized functional linkers to modify the CMF surface to improve the adhesion of the PEDOT:PSS-co-MA coating. Azido-EDOT (EDOT-Phenyl-N3) derivative allowed an effective carbon surface modification, enabling subsequent PEDOT:PSS-co-MA polymerization and enhancing electric charge transfer and polymer adhesion to the carbon substrate. Modified PCMFs were more resistant to polymer delamination when assessed in vitro or when implanted in the spinal cord of rats, causing negligible tissue damage and cell reactivity.
Chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) procedures were used to characterize polymer-coated CMFs (PCMFs) of different lengths relevant for scaffold design. 4 mm-long PCMFs withstood two million biphasic pulse ES without reaching cytotoxic voltages, with 6 mm length producing optimal results. Although scanning electron microscopy (SEM) unveiled some deterioration in the polymer coating of 6 mm PCMFs, voltage responses didn’t significantly change, assuring the safety of these fibers for ES.
A 12 mm-long, 20-microfiber assembly interconnected by a central cobalt microwire was designed to test the electrical performance of PCMFs in vivo in a model of spinal cord-injured pig. ES was applied through the assembly for 10 days up to 1.5 million pulses, remaining in safety voltages, and the assembly was electrically functional at 1 month after implantation, suggesting its suitability for sub-chronic ES.
We then synthesized functional linkers to modify the CMF surface to improve the adhesion of the PEDOT:PSS-co-MA coating. Azido-EDOT (EDOT-Phenyl-N3) derivative allowed an effective carbon surface modification, enabling subsequent PEDOT:PSS-co-MA polymerization and enhancing electric charge transfer and polymer adhesion to the carbon substrate. Modified PCMFs were more resistant to polymer delamination when assessed in vitro or when implanted in the spinal cord of rats, causing negligible tissue damage and cell reactivity.
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