Objectives

NerveRepack Objectives

Objective 1 – Development of implantable electrodes: A new generation of electrodes to be implanted in / around human peripheral nerves and spinal cord will be designed, fabricated and tested for the application.

Objective 2 – General system architecture: Establishing general system architecture and the functional links between modules; General technical specifications of the electronic and mechanical modules.

Objective 3 – Development of a dedicated ASIC for implantable electronic module: Design of the readout and stimulation ASIC for the implanted electronic module. This includes an evaluation PCB to test and debug the ASIC(s). Next to nerve readout and stimulation, the ASIC includes also a temperature sensor and features to support wireless (inductive) powering and communication.

Objective 4 – Implantable System Development, Integration and Fabrication: The implantable system development comprises the ASIC, neural electrodes, supercap, antenna, the coil, the microcontroller, power supply and the radio communication IC, integrated and packaged to protect it from body fluids.

Objective 5 – Development of mechatronic structure of exoprosthesis: The mechatronic structure of an exoprosthesis for the arm will be designed and fabricated using new materials. The mechatronic structure will consist of: mechanical support, actuating systems, sensors arrays and sensory feedback interfaces for touch and tactile feedback detection, command and control system.
Mechanical, kinematic and electrical and stability and reliability are targeted and will be assessed in WP4 and WP6.

Objective 6 – Development of mechatronic structures of two exoskeletons: Mechatronic structures of one leg exoskeleton (for persons with partial paralysis of one leg) will be designed and fabricated using new materials. The mechatronic structure will consist of: mechanical support, actuating systems, sensors arrays and sensory feedback interfaces (for tactile/position feedback
detection) and control system. A second existing biped exoskeleton (from ABLE) will be upgraded with feedback interfaces, sensors and bidirectional communication with the implantable system. Mechanical, kinematic and electrical and stability and reliability are targeted and will be assessed in
WP5 and WP6.

Objective 7 – Development of the electronic system for exoprosthesis/exoskeletons
mechatronic control system, data communication, and power management: The embedded systems, specifically customized and integrated in the exoprosthesis/exoskeletons, will be designed around a common electronic platform featuring:

Resonant inductive (near-field) wireless power transfer optimized for reliably and safely powering the implanted device.
Wireless short-range low-power connectivity for controlling and transmitting data for neural recording/stimulation.
Optimized, energy-efficient, power electronics for driving the electromechanical actuators of the mechatronic structures, including supercapacitors to boost the driving performance, and an innovative heat management system for optimizing thermal performance.
Battery management system and an external recharging station for ensuring a full- operation time of about 8 hours between two consecutive recharging stages.
A control and data processing sub-system executing AI modules in real- time for an effective bidirectional high-level information flow between the implanted bioelectrical neural interfaces and mechatronic structure of the exoprosthesis/exoskeletons.

Objective 8. New materials and biocompatibility tests: New biocompatible materials will be used to elaborate the implantable devices and the mechatronic structures. The implantable devices will be encapsulated in highly biocompatible materials. Protocols
and standards will be accordingly adapted and will allow for complete assessment of the separate components as well as of the overall structure, thus eliminating any possibility of harmful effects when implanted.

Objective 9. Integration and testing in laboratory conditions of the intelligent
neural system for bidirectional connection with exoprostheses and
exoskeletons: The integration of the implantable systems with mechatronic structure of exoprosthesis/ exoskeletons in laboratory conditions and testing the functionality (mechanical, electrical etc.).

Objective 10. In vivo testing of the neural system: The functionality of the whole system will be tested with one subject with amputated arm. The electrodes and wireless modules will be implanted in the subject stump and the signals acquired from the motor nerve and the functionality of the exoprosthesis will be monitored. The sensory nerve from the subject stump will be stimulated with feedback signals from the exoprosthesis and the subject tactile sensations will be monitored and evaluated. The duration of operation of the power system (implantable modules supercapacitors, wireless charging system and batteries of the mechanical structure) between two consecutiverecharging stages will be monitored and evaluated during the vivo tests.