Funding tool: Basic research projects
Project-ID: LS10-033
Project start: 11. August 2011
Project end: will follow
Runtime: 36 months / finished
Funding amount: € 268.750,00

Brief summary:

We are focussing on electrically stimulating electrodes for medical applications, such as Cochlea Implants, Pace Makers, Sphincter Electrodes, Muscle Effectors and Retina Im-plants. In most of the cases Platinum is used in combination with Silicon (rubber), others are Gold / Polyimides. However they come with poor flexibility of the implants, number of elec-trodes and connective tissue overgrowth.
We propose to use All-Polymer Electrodes fabricated by mirco manufacturing. Conductive paths are realized within the same material just by adding CNT and nanoparticles in a biocompatible, chemically anchored manner (both for conductance and reduced overgrowth). Preliminary results are very promising.
However, three main challenges have to be addressed.
1) Bringing the technology to maturity
2) Find a biocompatible mixture, where the use of nanoparticles does not harm the patient.
3) Perform the first steps of preclinical testing and provide an insertion tool for such ultrahigh flexible implants.
The objective for the project is to fabricate and characterize a CI functional prototype, cahracterize them histologically, gain IP and bring this towards the level where first animal experiments are justified.
The methodology shall be an application oriented, diven by clinical need and addressing the technical limits where industry currently would not go for by themselves. the exploitation plan foresees the foundation of a joint ven-ture that brings All Polymer implants into further industrialization.

Keywords:
Minimalinvasive Chirurgie / Neurostimulation / Hybrides Polymer-Mikrosystem