Project description
Minimally invasive electrical stimulation
Electrical stimulation is a technique that involves the use of electrical currents to stimulate nerves, muscles, or other tissues in the body in medical or rehabilitation applications, and even for sports training purposes. Funded by the European Research Council, the TEAXON project aims to generate wireless microstimulators that use high-frequency current delivered through textile electrodes. This technology allows for much thinner thread-like implants with a diameter of less than 1mm and eliminates the need for bulky components like batteries. The miniaturised microstimulators can be injected using minimally invasive procedures, offering a better experience for subjects.
Objective
Within the eAXON project, which is funded by an ERC CoG, we have developed and demonstrated wireless microstimulators whose operation is based on rectification of volume conducted bursts of innocuous high-frequency current externally delivered through textile electrodes. In contrast to previous implantable stimulation technologies apt for clinical use, our technology allows the implementation of much thinner implants that can be minimally invasively deployed by injection. Our prototypes are threadlike, with a diameter of less than 1 mm, and consist of a silicone tubular body with two electrodes at the opposite ends and a titanium capsule in the middle that hermetically houses the electronics. Such a degree of miniaturization is possible because our technology avoids the need for bulky components within the implants (e.g. batteries or coils). The proposed PoC project is essentially intended to facilitate the exploitation of this technology for therapeutics based on electrical stimulation.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept GrantsHost institution
08002 Barcelona
Spain