a disruptive implantable neurostimulator for the treatment of epilepsy

Project Information

NAOS

Grant agreement ID: 875931

DOI

10.3030/875931

Project closed

EC signature date 17 July 2019

Start date 1 July 2019

End date 30 November 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

SYNERGIA MEDICAL
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NAOS (a disruptive implantable neurostimulator for the treatment of epilepsy)

Reporting period: 2019-07-01 to 2019-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The nervous system modulates and mediates information propagation via both electrical and chemical signals. Disruption to these signalling pathways can lead to pathologies such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease or depression. Neural stimulation, particularly of the vagus nerve, located in the neck, has proven to be beneficial for patients whose symptoms are not or improperly treated by conventional medications.
Implantable neurostimulators are currently delivering electrical impulses using standard metal generators and wires that go under a patient’s skin and connect to the nerves or the brain. By using transparent casing and optical fibers - instead of metal parts - the NAOS project aims at developing innovative implantable devices that will advance existing neural stimulation treatments, hence improving patients’ quality of life and paving the way to new personalized therapies.

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

The elaboration of a business plan supported by EU-funding enabled the company 1) to refine the specifications of the neurostimulator with key opinion leaders in the field of epilepsy, leading to the development of a novel accessory, monitoring stimulation parameters 2) to better understand the regulatory and market access environment of neural stimulation hence accelerating its availability for potential patients.
A Freedom to Operate and Anteriority study was conducted regarding the future exploitation of the concept. Anteriority and state of the art was reviewed for all aspects of the technology to be developed.
Verification, testing and production scale-up was also conducted to validate the feasibility of the device and to selet sub-contractors throughout Europe.

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)

Implantable vagus nerve stimulators are currently delivering electrical impulses using standard metal wires that go under a patient’s skin and connect to the nerve. Replacing these metal wires by optical fibres offer several advantages to patients and physicians including: total safety under MRI scan, protection against potential hacking, use of advanced imaging techniques leading to personalised stimulation parameters adapted for each patient, smaller implant size and increased device lifetime.

NAO VNS device