A Digitally-Enabled Electroconductive Patient-Specific Stimulation Implant for Spinal Cord Injury
This project aims to develop a patient-specific 3D-printed neuromodulation implant to enhance neuron regrowth and restore function in spinal cord injury patients through targeted electrical stimulation.
Projectdetails
Introduction
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can severely impact patients, impairing neurological function. The complex pathophysiology of SCI and the poor growth capacity of neurons results in a multi-faceted challenge to repair.
Economic Impact
Lifetime treatment costs for SCI patients can be as high as €2 million, and approximately 11,000 new spinal cord injuries occur every year in the EU.
Market Potential
Neuromodulation devices that provide controlled electrical stimuli to enable pain management and aid rehabilitation represent a growing medical device market, predicted to reach an €83 billion value by 2030.
Project Proposal
This project proposes to combine electrical stimulation for the integration of neuromodulatory functionality with a tailored tissue-engineered device to enhance the regrowth of injured neurons and restore nerve function.
Technological Foundation
It builds on the cutting-edge 3D-printing technologies developed during my ReCaP Advanced Grant in order to design a ground-breaking patient-specific implant for the targeted delivery of electrical stimulation to promote SCI repair.
Design and Implementation
High-resolution imaging of individual patient spinal cord injuries will facilitate 3D printing of an electroconductive implant architecture, filled with a biomimetic regenerative and immunomodulatory biomaterial. This design will match both the gross lesion geometry as well as mimic key aspects of the injured spinal axonal tract anatomy.
Optimization of Architecture
The 3D-printed conductive architecture will be geometrically optimized to distribute externally delivered electrical stimulation to neurons throughout the injury, maximizing the therapeutic benefits of electrical stimulation.
Proof-of-Concept
To demonstrate proof-of-concept, DEEPSTIM will develop a prototype for preclinical testing in a rat model of SCI.
Collaboration and Future Development
The DEEPSTIM team will work with institutional commercialization teams and seek input from clinical experts to increase the technological readiness level of the platform. The ultimate aim is to form a spin-out company to further develop the technology towards clinical translation.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
Subsidiebedrag | € 150.000 |
Totale projectbegroting | € 150.000 |
Tijdlijn
Startdatum | 1-7-2025 |
Einddatum | 31-12-2026 |
Subsidiejaar | 2025 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELANDpenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
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Robotic and Electrical Stimulation Platform for Integral Neuromuscular EnhancementRE-SPINE creates a neuro-robotic platform combining a robotic ankle exoskeleton and spinal stimulation to enhance lower limb rehabilitation and promote motor recovery after neuromuscular injuries. | ERC Proof of... | € 150.000 | 2025 | Details |
Injectable nanoelectrodes for wireless and minimally invasive neural stimulationDeveloping minimally invasive, nanoscale, wireless neuroelectrodes for targeted neural stimulation to improve treatment accessibility for neurological impairments. | ERC Starting... | € 1.499.725 | 2023 | Details |
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Bidirectional neuromuscular interface based on associative plasticity for stroke therapy during activities of daily livingThe neubond device offers autonomous, wearable therapy for stroke recovery, enhancing motor function and neuroplasticity through real-time muscle stimulation during daily activities. | ERC Proof of... | € 150.000 | 2025 | Details |
Induction of NEuromuscular Plasticity for natural motor rehabilitaTION
INcEPTION aims to enhance neurorehabilitation by optimizing stimulation protocols through real-time estimation of neural connectivity from EMG signals, promoting recovery in stroke and cancer survivors.
Robotic and Electrical Stimulation Platform for Integral Neuromuscular Enhancement
RE-SPINE creates a neuro-robotic platform combining a robotic ankle exoskeleton and spinal stimulation to enhance lower limb rehabilitation and promote motor recovery after neuromuscular injuries.
Injectable nanoelectrodes for wireless and minimally invasive neural stimulation
Developing minimally invasive, nanoscale, wireless neuroelectrodes for targeted neural stimulation to improve treatment accessibility for neurological impairments.
Biodegradable MEMS implants for nerve repair
Develop biodegradable MEMS implants for nerve repair using innovative mechanical stimulation strategies to enhance neural regeneration post-injury.
Bidirectional neuromuscular interface based on associative plasticity for stroke therapy during activities of daily living
The neubond device offers autonomous, wearable therapy for stroke recovery, enhancing motor function and neuroplasticity through real-time muscle stimulation during daily activities.
Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen
Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
---|---|---|---|---|
DRUG-ELUTING ELECTRICAL IMPLANT TO REPAIR THE SPINAL CORDDREIMS aims to advance a novel drug-eluting electrical implant for spinal cord repair by refining its design and meeting regulatory standards for human therapeutic use. | EIC Transition | € 2.494.542 | 2023 | Details |
Piezo-driven theramesh: A revolutionary multifaceted actuator to repair the injured spinal cordPiezo4Spine aims to create a groundbreaking 3D bioprinted mesh therapy for spinal cord injury that enhances neural repair through targeted mechanotransduction and gene therapy. | EIC Pathfinder | € 3.537.120 | 2023 | Details |
BRAIN-SPINE INTERFACES TO REVERSE UPPER- AND LOWER-LIMB PARALYSISDeveloping fully-implantable brain-spine interfaces to restore movement in individuals with chronic paralysis through advanced neurosensors and neurostimulation systems. | EIC Transition | € 2.490.802 | 2022 | Details |
Advanced Intelligent stimulation device: HAND movement restorationThe AI-HAND project aims to develop an advanced ASIC-based implanted device with self-adapting electrodes to restore hand movements in quadriplegic patients through innovative nerve stimulation techniques. | EIC Pathfinder | € 2.999.834 | 2023 | Details |
Brain Interchange ONE SR—the implantable neuromodulation technology for stroke rehabilitationCorTec aims to develop innovative implantable technology for stroke rehabilitation, enabling new therapies and devices while targeting market approval and $250M in sales by 2030. | EIC Accelerator | € 2.500.000 | 2022 | Details |
DRUG-ELUTING ELECTRICAL IMPLANT TO REPAIR THE SPINAL CORD
DREIMS aims to advance a novel drug-eluting electrical implant for spinal cord repair by refining its design and meeting regulatory standards for human therapeutic use.
Piezo-driven theramesh: A revolutionary multifaceted actuator to repair the injured spinal cord
Piezo4Spine aims to create a groundbreaking 3D bioprinted mesh therapy for spinal cord injury that enhances neural repair through targeted mechanotransduction and gene therapy.
BRAIN-SPINE INTERFACES TO REVERSE UPPER- AND LOWER-LIMB PARALYSIS
Developing fully-implantable brain-spine interfaces to restore movement in individuals with chronic paralysis through advanced neurosensors and neurostimulation systems.
Advanced Intelligent stimulation device: HAND movement restoration
The AI-HAND project aims to develop an advanced ASIC-based implanted device with self-adapting electrodes to restore hand movements in quadriplegic patients through innovative nerve stimulation techniques.
Brain Interchange ONE SR—the implantable neuromodulation technology for stroke rehabilitation
CorTec aims to develop innovative implantable technology for stroke rehabilitation, enabling new therapies and devices while targeting market approval and $250M in sales by 2030.