MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

DMSE Colloquia, Fall 2009

Tuesday, December 01, 2009 | 10:00 AM | 411 White Building

Development of Networked Implantable Neuroprostheses

Brian Smith

Cleveland FES Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH 44106-7207
U.S.A.

Abstract:

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) focuses on the application of small electrical currents to either generate or suppress activity in the human central and peripheral nervous system. This technique can produce and control the movement of otherwise paralyzed limbs for standing and hand grasp; activate visceral bodily functions such as bladder control or respiration; create perceptions such as skin sensibility; arrest undesired activity such as pain or spasm; and facilitate natural recovery and accelerate motor relearning.
The existing implanted neuroprosthetic devices for delivering FES to individuals with nervous system disorders utilize considerable external powering and signal processing. The Networked Neuroprosthetic System (NNPS) addresses this issue by using a network of small implanted modules, distributed throughout the body, and linked to a centralized power source via a network cable. The use of implanted power storage, fully implanted sensors, and high performance internal processors will free the user from all external devices during normal operation while also allowing the development of much more sophisticated and functional control algorithms. NNPS is being developed by a team of partners in both industry and academia (including the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science) and provides all the necessary personnel and equipment resources to complete the design and fabrication of the NNPS.
This presentation will give a brief introduction to the ongoing neuroprosthesis development at CWRU and will focus on the NNPS as the newest and most advanced FES neuroprosthesis to date. Technical details of the system and its devices will be presented, and the critical role of material selection, material performance, and material testing in an implanted, biomedical application will be highlighted.

Coffee and doughnuts will be served from 9:30 AM.

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