bridging the innovation gap€¦ · bridging the innovation gap: the “bionic hand” and fet...
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Bridging the Innovation Gap:the “Bionic Hand” and FET
Silvestro MiceraBertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational NeuroEngineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics, EPFL
The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna
DISCLOSURE: Dr. Micera holds shares of Sensars Neuroprosthetics, a newcoworking to commercialize “bionic” limbs
2Translational Neural Engineering Bringing neurotechnology to clinical trials
OUR DREAM…
1. PHASE 1: Which kind of connection with the nervous system?2. PHASE 2: Which kind of hand prosthesis?3. PHASE 3: How much the patient is going to exploit this new
communication channel?4. PHASE 4: Is market exploitation possible?
3Translational Neural Engineering Bringing neurotechnology to clinical trials
INTER EU
project
1994-1997
GRIP EU project
1997- 2000
Micera et al., IEEE T-NSRE, 2008
PHASE 1 - The building blocks…
Identification of the “optimal” neural interface
4Translational Neural Engineering Bringing neurotechnology to clinical trials
INTER EU
project
1994-1997
GRIP EU project
1997- 2000
CYBERHANDNeuroboticsEU projects
2002- 2006
Sensorized hand prostheses
First implant in a patient
Intraneural electrodes (LIFE)
PHASE 2 – System integration…
1. Biomechatronic Hand
Analysis of the ENG signals recorded
2. Embedded Biomimetic sensors:
- within the structure
- within the glove
Different electrodes
6. Receiver
7. Transmitter
Stump
8. Decoding patient’s intentions and
Embedded closed-loop control of the artificial
hand
5Translational Neural Engineering Bringing neurotechnology to clinical trials
NEBIAS EU project
2014- 2018
First patient with bidirectional control
PHASE 3 - The clinical challenge…
INTER EU
project
1994-1997
GRIP EU project
1997- 2000
CYBERHANDNeuroboticsEU projects
2002- 2006
First implant in a patient
Intraneural electrodes (LIFE)
Sensorized hand prostheses
6Translational Neural Engineering Bringing neurotechnology to clinical trials
PHASE 4 - Towards market exploitation…
Clinical results(NEBIAS)
FET Launchpad
project
Which kind of market?
EIC Fast Track to Innovation
Lessons learnt and some proposals
• Finding a path is NOT a linear process. It is often a MAZE. The EIC Pathfinder should take into consideration to allow innovative projects to go the next funding schemes
– Objectives of the projects could be updated (GRIP yellow flag…)
– Maybe partners could be changed during the project
– Failures should be “encouraged”
• The FET Progamme has been very flexible in the past thanks to the excellent attitude of the Officers but this flexibility should become “easier” to implement
Lessons learnt and some proposals
• Finding the reviewers with the “right” attitude to increase the probability of success. Better to chose scientists already involved in previous similar projects
• EIC has to be a flexible “multi-port” “open” framework. Innovation means different things and all of them need to find opportunity under the EIC umbrella
• Coaching should be strongly encouraged as soon as possible during the project. It is not