Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Integrated Implant Technology for Multi-modal Brain Interfaces

Project description

Implantable human-machine interfaces to treat chronic conditions

The treatment of chronic conditions may soon involve bioelectronic medicine. Imagine an implantable network of sensors and actuators. While the actuators deploy electricity, light, drugs and thermal energy as modalities of the therapeutic programmes, the sensors will monitor the progress. This is being developed by the EU-funded IntegraBrain project. Specifically, the project will tailor this implantable network for applications in soft tissue organs, such as the nervous system, where injury or degeneration often results in chronic disability. The aim is to demonstrate seizure control by multimodal neuromodulation in the central nervous system and reversable block and excitation in the peripheral nervous system.

Objective

Bioelectronic medicine may soon replace systemic drugs for treating some chronic conditions. The clinician will implant a miniature laboratory to deliver and coordinate a multi-modal treatment program directly at the affected tissue. The technology to bring this vision to the clinic is not yet available.

The IntegraBrain project will contribute by building an implantable network of sensors and actuators. Actuators will deploy electricity, light, drugs and thermal energy as modalities of the therapeutic program, while sensors will monitor its progress. A key technological advance will be a method for direct writing of the sensor-actuator network. To achieve this, we will develop a palette of functional inks where each ink supports one of the therapeutic modalities.

The technology has the potential to be tailored for applications in soft tissue organs, especially in the nervous system, where injury or degeneration can result in chronic disability. We will apply IntegraBrain technology in two niches of the nervous system in rodents. In the central nervous system, we will demonstrate seizure control by multi-modal neuromodulation. In the peripheral nervous system, we will demonstrate reversible block and excitation. For the first time, we will observe if multi-modal neuromodulation leads to synergistic effects on the nervous system.

With the IntegraBrain project, we hope to catalyse pre-clinical development of implantable human-machine interfaces for therapeutic applications.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2018-STG

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 328 536,94
Address
FIRTH COURT WESTERN BANK
S10 2TN SHEFFIELD
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
Yorkshire and the Humber South Yorkshire Sheffield
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 328 536,94

Beneficiaries (2)

My booklet 0 0