New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) A team at EPFL’s Laboratory for Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces in Switzerland on Friday said it has developed a soft, thin-film auditory brainstem implant (ABI) that closely conforms to the curved surface of the brainstem.
The device uses micrometer-scale platinum electrodes embedded in silicone, forming a pliable array just a fraction of a millimeter thick.
This novel approach, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, enables better tissue contact, potentially preventing off-target nerve activation and reducing side effects.
Over the last couple of decades, many people have regained hearing functionality with the most successful neurotech device to date: the cochlear implant.
But for those whose cochlear nerve is too damaged for a standard cochlear implant, a promising alternative is an auditory brainstem implant (ABI).
“Designing a soft implant that truly conforms to the brainstem environment is a critical milestone in restoring hearing for patients who can’t use cochlear implants. Our success in macaques shows real promise for translating this technology to the clinic and delivering richer, more precise hearing,” said Stephanie P. Lacour, head of Head of the Laboratory for Soft Bioelectronic (LSBI) Interfaces at EPFL.
Rather than simply relying on surgical tests, the researchers ran extensive behavioural experiments in macaques with normal hearing.
This allowed them to measure how well the animals could distinguish electrical stimulation patterns as they would with natural acoustic hearing.
“Our main idea was to leverage soft, bioelectronic interfaces to improve electrode-tissue match,” explained Alix Trouillet, a former postdoctoral researcher at EPFL and co-first author of the study. “If the array naturally follows the brainstem’s curved anatomy, we can lower stimulation thresholds and maintain more active electrodes for high-resolution hearing.”
Beyond conformability, the soft array’s flexible microfabrication means it can be reconfigured for different anatomies.
Although these findings are promising, the path to a commercially available soft ABI will require additional research and regulatory steps, said authors.
–IANS
na/
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by BhaskarLive.in and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of BhaskarLive.in We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, BhaskarLive.in takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
