Intelligent neural system for bidirectional connection with exoprostheses and exoskeletons

Project Information

NerveRepack

Grant agreement ID: 101112347

DOI

10.3030/101112347

EC signature date 12 May 2023

Start date 1 June 2023

End date 31 December 2027

Funded under

• Digital, Industry and Space

Total cost

€ 15 371 376,61

EU contribution

€ 5 379 981,82

Coordinated by

INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETAREDEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE
Romania

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - NerveRepack (Intelligent neural system for bidirectional connection with exoprostheses and exoskeletons)

Reporting period: 2024-06-01 to 2025-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The main goal of the project is to develop a new generation of bidirectional implantable electrodes connecting the human nervous system with external mechatronic aid devices such as exoskeletons and exoprostheses, thus helping people with arm amputations or leg paralysis regain their motor and sensorial functions.
Electrodes will be the primary bidirectional interface to the nerves, followed by the implantable module, comprising an ASIC for signal processing, a microcontroller, an antenna for radio communication, a coil for wireless power charging and a supercapacitor for energy storage. To enable data communication to the mechatronic structures, as well as their power management and control (via AI modules) an embedded system will be designed, fabricated, and tested. This system will then be integrated into the mechatronic structures of exoprosthesis or exoskeletons. Due to the presence of bidirectional implantable electrodes a close loop between the user’s brain and the device’s control system will be created, with the AI module being used to learn and interpret the user’s synaptic signals.
All the components and modules will be designed, fabricated, and tested with demonstration being assured by integrating the neural implantable systems with exoprostheses and exoskeletons into three demonstrators aimed at different categories of patients: with forearm amputation, with lower limbs paralysis and with single leg paralysis. A new generation of exoprostheses and exoskeletons controlled by the patient’s brain via the nervous system will change the paradigm of support for people with disabilities and will have an important social, economic, medical, and technological impact. The technology advances including miniaturization, wireless communication and power supply, progresses in medical microsurgery tools and methods, new biocompatible materials and technologies will considerably contribute to the project implementation.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the first year of the project, the partners within the consortium started implementing the activities from the project implementation plan that correspond to this period:
- The medical, functional and technical specifications were developed for all the devices that will be made within the project: the implantable systems (electrodes and the electronic module) for the two door cases, the mechatronic structure of the exoprosthesis, the mechatronic structures of the exoskeletons, power management/ wireless transfer system.
- The patient with forearm amputation who will use the exoprosthesis was also selected and the creation of the reserve list with patients with forearm amputation began.
- The general architecture of the implantable system was created (electrodes, connectors and electronic module)
- The implantable electrodes were designed for the two use cases.
- Innovative biomaterials for electrodes were tested.
In the current period, there were deliverables scheduled that contribute to achieving Objective 8: Biocompatibility study of new materials and devices used in implantable modules.
The selected biomaterials were forwarded to Ł-ŁIT, whose aim was to perform it from a biological perspective. In WP7, research methods were developed and in the Cell Laboratory, in accordance with the procedure, cytotoxicity on the HaCat-keratinocytes cell line was assessed.
D7.1 – Biocompatibility of component material) was scheduled for the end of March 2024.
Cytotoxicity analysis were done as part of biocompatibility assessment (cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility, gene alteration, carcinogenicity).

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The general principles of promoting the essence of the project are carried out on a large scale, taking into account several dozen units from the consortium from over 10 European countries. Scala is the project website. The website has a fresh and dynamic look, based on the already established visual identification of the project: logo and colors.
NerveRepack will establish partnerships with institutional actors from several areas of interest (universities, think tanks, NGOs) and from other regions to discover potential and smart ideas. The plan is to reach out to the scientific ecosystem, through the organization of seminars, workshops on social media and networking opportunities for professionals from all fields in which the project is involved (e.g. doctors, sensor and intelligent systems engineers).
Promotional channels will allow knowledge and project results to pass from the scientific ecosystem to business market.
Overall, the proposed communication actions will get the project closer to the general public and will make the science associated with NerveRepack look appealing and exciting to them, as a breakthrough in improving life quality.

The main schematic of NerveRepack