Edible Neuroprosthetics | Development of fully dissolvable devices and application as implanted neuroprostheses

Summary
Restoring sensory and motor human functions is the main goal of Neuroprosthetics. The development and integration of artificial devices with neural tissues is therefore a very important research branch, which aims at improving the quality of human life. Recently, many advances have been made in this field by exploiting implantable organic devices able to accomplish a specific task inside the biological environment and last as much as possible before being removed.
Within this scenario, the project aims at pushing the current state-of-the-art of Neuroprosthetic further by implementing a concept of ‘Edible Neuroprosthetics’, which consists in bio-electronic devices able to be literally digested by the cellular environment of the host after they have achieved their target. Novel fully biodegradable microelectrode arrays will therefore be fabricated on flexible substrates by implementing highly biocompatible and edible materials with innovative soft fabrication techniques. Their deterioration rate and change in the mechanical and electrical properties will be assessed with in-vitro ageing studies, followed by in-vivo tests in order to supply a proof-of-principle for future clinical applications.
The inter-disciplinary and innovative aspects of the project will have a profound effect on the personal scientific background of the applicant as well as on her future career as independent researcher. The new skills she will acquire together with the new techniques she will learn and the wide scientific network she will actively be involved in will contribute to the formation of a strong and versatile research figure in Neuroprosthetics. Moreover, the results will provide unprecedented insight within the edible device concept, therefore making an important breakthrough, which will direct the Neuroprosthetic world towards less invasive bio-implants.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/701632
Start date: 01-04-2016
End date: 31-03-2018
Total budget - Public funding: 175 419,60 Euro - 175 419,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Restoring sensory and motor human functions is the main goal of Neuroprosthetics. The development and integration of artificial devices with neural tissues is therefore a very important research branch, which aims at improving the quality of human life. Recently, many advances have been made in this field by exploiting implantable organic devices able to accomplish a specific task inside the biological environment and last as much as possible before being removed.
Within this scenario, the project aims at pushing the current state-of-the-art of Neuroprosthetic further by implementing a concept of ‘Edible Neuroprosthetics’, which consists in bio-electronic devices able to be literally digested by the cellular environment of the host after they have achieved their target. Novel fully biodegradable microelectrode arrays will therefore be fabricated on flexible substrates by implementing highly biocompatible and edible materials with innovative soft fabrication techniques. Their deterioration rate and change in the mechanical and electrical properties will be assessed with in-vitro ageing studies, followed by in-vivo tests in order to supply a proof-of-principle for future clinical applications.
The inter-disciplinary and innovative aspects of the project will have a profound effect on the personal scientific background of the applicant as well as on her future career as independent researcher. The new skills she will acquire together with the new techniques she will learn and the wide scientific network she will actively be involved in will contribute to the formation of a strong and versatile research figure in Neuroprosthetics. Moreover, the results will provide unprecedented insight within the edible device concept, therefore making an important breakthrough, which will direct the Neuroprosthetic world towards less invasive bio-implants.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2015-EF

Update Date

28-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
MSCA-IF-2015-EF Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)