Imagine a smart electronic cuff that wraps around nerves in the arm like a precise dimmer switch. Instead of just turning muscles on or off, it uses complex electrical patterns to mimic how the brain actually controls fingers. This allows people with total arm paralysis to regain the ability to grasp objects again.
Patients with complete tetraplegia often cannot undergo functional surgery and have no way to regain hand movement. Current implants lack the spatial selectivity to target specific muscles without using an excessive number of electrodes.
An ASIC-based active medical implanted device (AIMD) featuring multi-contact cuff electrodes and software for 3D current shaping.
If you are a medical device company dealing with the inability to target specific muscles without multiple implants — this project developed a multi-contact cuff electrode that uses 3D current shaping to restore movement. This reduces the number of implants needed per muscle.
If you are a chip designer dealing with the high complexity of analogue front ends for neural stimulation — this project developed an ASIC-based technology for multiphasic waveforms. This provides a blueprint for software-free, safe implant hardware.
If you are a clinic dealing with tetraplegia patients who are ineligible for standard functional surgery — this project developed a minimally invasive AIMD that restores grasping. This opens a new therapeutic path for a previously untreated patient group.
Based on available project data, there is no information regarding the unit cost or market pricing of the AI-HAND device.
The project aims to deliver a pre-series of devices and move from TRL 3/4 to TRL 7, which indicates a transition toward industrial readiness.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but the project involves 2 SMEs and 2 industry partners who typically manage IP for commercialization.
The device must undergo a First-In-Man clinical trial to prove it is safe, easy to implant, and provides clinical benefit to the patient.
The project period runs from 2023-08-01 to 2027-07-31, suggesting that clinical validation and pre-series development will conclude by mid-2027.
The consortium is well-balanced for commercialization, consisting of 6 partners across 3 countries. With a 33% industry ratio (including 2 SMEs), the project blends academic research from universities and research institutes with the practical manufacturing and scaling capabilities of industrial partners.
Contact the Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et Automatique (INRIA) in France.
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for the 3D current shaping ASIC technology.
