Project description
Novel neural electrode arrays interfacing with peripheral nerve
Peripheral nerve interfaces sending signals between the human body and a machine processor aid in the restoration of function following disease or injury. The EU-funded BioFINE project plans to develop electrode arrays that can interface with peripheral nerves. Focus will be placed on addressing biocompatibility issues associated with long-term tissue integration and stability. Fine-tuned bioactivity will safeguard the surrounding neural tissue in the initial stages of healing, and implants of sub-cellular dimensions and tissue-compatible biomechanics approaches will safeguard tissue health. The proposed approach will offer the optimal conditions to bridge the gap from electrode to neuron and generate a long-term functional peripheral nerve interface.
Objective
BioFunctional IntraNeural Electrodes : In BioFINE we will develop flexible intraneural multielectrode arrays, capable of interfacing peripheral nerves e.g. to transfer input/output signals from bionic limbs. Specifically, we address the challenge of long term tissue integration and chronic stability, by addressing three aspects of biocompatibility: 1) We develop novel fabrication methods allowing the intraneural interface to be defined at even finer resolution than before; 2) we explore functionalizations which will control the tissue response by combined surface anchored and surface eluted agents; 3) we address structural biocompatibility on a system level by engineering novel implantable interconnects which reduced tethering forces and improve prospects for high channel count interfaces. Fine-tuned bioactivity will safe-guard surrounding neural tissue in the initial stages of healing, and implants of sub-cellular dimensions and tissue compatible biomechanics, will safe-guard tissue healthy in the longer term. The combined approach will offer optimal conditions to bridge the gap from electrode to neuron and generate a long term functional peripheral nerve interface. Indeed, each of the three technological advancements would on their own have substantial impact on neurotechnology, reaching far beyond intraneural interfaces.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
EIC - EICCoordinator
412 96 GOTEBORG
Sweden