Neuroprosthetics

Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering

Implantable microelectrode for vestibularis.
Implantable microelectrode for vestibularis.
© Fraunhofer IBMT (Photo: Bernd Müller)

The aim of neuroprothetics is to compensate neural dysfunctions with a sensory or motor background, and to restore functionality. To this end, myogenic and neuronal structures in the peripheral, spinal and central nervous system are electrically stimulated. Cardiac pacemakers, cochlear implants as well as implants for deep brain stimulations, e.g. for paraplegics and stroke patients, have already found their way into clinical practice.

Core competence of the Neuroprosthetics group is the development and fabrication of implantable microelectrodes, which can be applied to open up new fields in neuroprosthetics. For instance, interfaces for stimulating the retina or the vestibular system, as well as bidirectional interfaces for selectively accessing the afferent and efferent fibers of the peripheral nervous system have been developed.

Application of microtechnology enables the fabrication of ultra-light, flexible microimplants made of biocompatible materials for multi-channel contacting of nerves and control of neuroprostheses.