Neural Prostheses, Rehabilitation Engineering and Neuromodulation

Illustration of Selective hypoglossal Nerve stimulation (Durand Laboratory)
Selective hypoglossal Nerve stimulation (Durand Laboratory)

In the Neural Engineering Center, we focus on neural prostheses—devices capable of supplementing or replacing damaged or lost functions of the nervous system. These devices rely on the ability to stimulate the nervous system and record its activity.

Neural prostheses for the restoration of the hand/arm function and gait in paralyzed patients are currently being developed. Also in paralyzed patients, neural prostheses for the activation of the bladder, assisted respiration and cough are also currently being tested. Other neural prostheses for the obstructive sleep apnea and epilepsy are undergoing evaluation. Given the expertise and the large concentration of scientists and engineers interested in this field, several other prostheses will be developed.

Illustration of a Functional Electrical Stimulation of the arm for paralyzed patients (FES center of Cleveland)
Functional Electrical Stimulation of the arm for paralyzed patients (FES center of Cleveland)
Illustration of Volume of Tissue activation by deep brain stimulation (McIntyre Laboratory)
Volume of Tissue activation by deep brain stimulation (McIntyre Laboratory)