Improving neural interface selectivity by measuring evoked neurophysiological responses

Electrical stimulation of nerves can be used to restore movements to individuals who are paralyzed following spinal cord injury. Our project is divided into two main parts. The first part aims to combine measurements of muscle and nerve activity evoked by electrical stimulation in order to improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in nerve stimulation using electrodes composed of several contacts. The second part consists of modelling the influence of the choice of different stimulation configurations (current distributions within the electrode contacts) on the activation of nerve fascicles (subsets of neurons grouped in the nerve). The results of this work will help to create technology that can restore more precise and effective movements after paralysis.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jose Zariffa

Student:

Partner:

Inria Sophia Antipolis - Méditerranée Research Centre

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: