BioFunctional IntraNeural Electrodes

Informazioni relative al progetto

BioFINE

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 101099366

DOI

10.3030/101099366

Data della firma CE 22 Novembre 2022

Data di avvio 1 Aprile 2023

Data di completamento 30 Settembre 2026

Finanziato da

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Costo totale

€ 1 945 622,00

Contributo UE

€ 1 945 622,00

Coordinato da

CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BioFINE (BioFunctional IntraNeural Electrodes)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-04-01 al 2024-03-31

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

Bionics is about making prosthetics which directly couples to the nervous system for instance to equip an artificial robotic hand with nerve controlled of movements and artificial sensory feedback. Intraneural electrode arrays are the components that directly interfaces the nerve from the interfascicular space. The BioFINE project aims to enhance biocompatibility of such intraneural electrodes so that they function better in contact with the patient’s own nervous system and over longer time. We are working with sophisticated micro- and nanofabrication processes combined with chemical engineering of the surfaces of the implant which helps to modulate the foreign body response. The goal is an implant that support high quality interaction with the nerve signals over many years, and with minimal impact on the nerve itself.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

Over the first reporting period we have initiated developments towards our three project objectives. We have been able to advance towards further miniaturization of the flexible intraneural arrays, complementing photolithography with direct writing methods. We have developed chemical functionalization protocols for incorporating anti-inflammatory substances on the polyimide surfaces for subsequent controlled release, and furthermore explored new agents targeting reduced foreign body response in vitro, with an ongoing follow up in vivo. We are currently processing the first batch of biofunctionalized miniaturized intraneural arrays. Biofunctionalization is expected to have positive effects on tissue integration but there can also be negative effects on device integrity, something we are analyzing in our ongoing work.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

The project is at this point at an early stage wherefore we do not yet report published results beyond state of the art. We have made promising advancements but follow-up with in vivo studies will confirm if we have been able to successfully and sustainably reduce the foreign body response with sustained device integrity and functionality.

BioFINE logo and project target use