Our project will pave the way for a new generation of adaptive neuroelectronic therapies, resolving the most important limitations of current technology.
The first application of our ground-breaking technology will be PD, due to high need, market size and acceptance of DBS therapies for Parkinson´s disease patients. Viability of this new adaptive brain neuroelectronic therapy cannot be further explored without new suitably functioning, implantable, chronic medical grade devices enabled by novel materials and surgical procedures; this is precisely the core of our innovation.
A major revolution is needed to replace the active metal material of the electrodes. We propose the use of graphene-based technology to overcome this impasse.
Call: HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
Type of action: HORIZION-EIC
Acronym: MINIGRAPH
Current phase: Grant Management
Number: 101070865
Duration: 36 moths
GA based on the: HE MGA – Multi & Mono – 1. null
Start date: 01 Oct 2022
Estimated project cost: 3,928,402.50€
Requested EU contribution: 3,928,402.50€
Our project will pave the way for a new generation of adaptive neuromodulation therapies, resolving the most important limitations of current technology.
The first application of our ground-breaking technology will be PD, due to high need, market size and acceptance of DBS therapies for PD patients. Viability of this new adaptive brain neuromodulation therapy cannot be further explored without new suitably functioning, implantable, chronic medical grade devices enabled by novel materials and surgical procedures; this is precisely the core of our innovation.
A major revolution is needed to replace the active metal material of the electrodes. We propose the use of graphene-based technology to overcome this impasse.
Call:
HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
Type of action:
HORIZION-EIC
Acronym:
MINIGRAPH
Current phase:
Grant Management
Number:
101070865
Duration:
36 moths
GA based on the:
HE MGA – Multi & Mono – 1. null
Start date:
01 Oct 2022
Estimated project cost: 3,928,402.50€
Requested EU contribution: 3,928,402.50€
*INBRAIN Cortical Interface
Members of the consortium have developed and patented the first graphene-based thin-film electrode material that is designed to overcome the limitations of existing electrode materials used for neural interfacing. Our neural leads, already demonstrated in small animal (rodent) and large animal (sheep) studies, offer the highest resolution brain recording and stimulation, enabled by the exceptional properties of graphene material that result in unique advances for brain interfaces development.
Members of the consortium have developed and patented the first graphene-based thin-film electrode material that is designed to overcome the limitations of existing electrode materials used for neural interfacing. Our neural leads, already demonstrated in small animal (rodent) and large animal (sheep) studies, offer the highest resolution brain recording and stimulation, enabled by the exceptional properties of graphene material that result in unique advances for brain interfaces development
.
*INBRAIN Cortical Interface
Specific objectives of the project
- Define the specifications of graphene neural probes for the different brain locations
- Design and fabrication of high-density cortical and deep neural probes with enhanced long-term stability
- Full assessment of neural probes in terms of performance and reliability
- Design, fabrication and testing of an ASIC-based electronics system
- Develop a non-implantable headstage system to enable prototype testing in animal models
- Develop the material and the production process for the flexible neural leads with the ASIC electronics into a flexible cranial implant
- Test and select the most adequate encapsulation strategy for long-term implantation
- Fabricate the final fully functional prototype ready for in vivo validation
- Optimize and adapt a magnetic carrier to deploy the ultrathin cortical and subcortical neural probes
- Develop the robotic system to precisely insert the electrode guided by X-ray imaging
- Validate the robotic implantation procedure in vitro and in vivo
- Develop signal analysis and stimulation algorithms to enable personalized closed-loop therapies
- Functional validation of the final prototype in a large animal model (sheep)
- Define and perform the activities for assessment of biological safety and toxicology of the brain implant
- Define and perform the required safety analysis of the robotic implantation procedure
- Define a regulatory and clinical strategy for post-project clinical activities
- Searching and engagement of stakeholders (patents, clinical community, academy, industry)
- Conduct a comprehensive dissemination and communication plan, including online and offline activities
- Develop a business plan to exploit project results, including the neuromodulation implant, the implantation procedure and the closed-loop neuroelectronic brain therapies
- Define and execute the most appropriate IP protection measures to secure post-project execution
- Accomplish a fundamental cytotoxicity screening of developed neural probes based on
- experimental in vitro testing
- toxicity evaluation via MD simulations
Specific objectives of the project
- Define the specifications of graphene neural probes for the different brain locations
- Design and fabrication of high-density cortical and deep neural probes with enhanced long-term stability
- Full assessment of neural probes in terms of performance and reliability
- Design, fabrication and testing of an ASIC-based electronics system
- Develop a non-implantable headstage system to enable prototype testing in animal models
- Develop the material and the production process for the flexible neural leads with the ASIC electronics into a flexible cranial implant
- Test and select the most adequate encapsulation strategy for long-term implantation
- Fabricate the final fully functional prototype ready for in vivo validation
- Optimize and adapt a magnetic carrier to deploy the ultrathin cortical and subcortical neural probes
- Develop the robotic system to precisely insert the electrode guided by X-ray imaging
- Validate the robotic implantation procedure in vitro and in vivo
- Develop signal analysis and stimulation algorithms to enable personalized closed-loop therapies
- Functional validation of the final prototype in a large animal model (sheep)
- Define and perform the activities for assessment of biological safety and toxicology of the brain implant
- Define and perform the required safety analysis of the robotic implantation procedure
- Define a regulatory and clinical strategy for post-project clinical activities
- Searching and engagement of stakeholders (patents, clinical community, academy, industry)
- Conduct a comprehensive dissemination and communication plan, including online and offline activities
- Develop a business plan to exploit project results, including the neuromodulation implant, the implantation procedure and the closed-loop neuroelectronic brain therapies
- Define and execute the most appropriate IP protection measures to secure post-project execution
