a disruptive implantable neurostimulator for the treatment of epilepsy

Informazioni relative al progetto

NAOS

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 875931

DOI

10.3030/875931

Progetto chiuso

Data della firma CE 17 Luglio 2019

Data di avvio 1 Luglio 2019

Data di completamento 30 Novembre 2019

Finanziato da

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Costo totale

€ 71 429,00

Contributo UE

€ 50 000,00

Coordinato da

SYNERGIA MEDICAL
Belgium

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

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2019-07-01 al 2019-11-30

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

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.

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

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.

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)

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