Drug-eluting gel / microfibers electrical implant to bridge spinal cord tissue gaps
DREIMS technology
DREIMS TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION
DREIMS Technological innovation: drug-eluting gel / microfibers electrical implant to bridge spinal cord tissue gaps
Successful preclinical studies in a relevant model: porcine contusion spinal cord injury.
Building on the initial proof of concept achieved in previous European project Neurofibres (TRL 3), DREIMS will mature this novel healthcare technology through TRLs 4-5, becoming close to its approval for use in human therapeutics while creating a business plan to support further exploitation steps.
The implant will refine and integrate three modules:
- Microfiber/drug-eluting gel bundles from FUHNPAIIN / SCT S.L. (Spain).
- Spinal electrode arrays from IMTEK (University of Freiburg, Germany).
- Fully implantable electric pulse generator from NEURINNOV (France).
We are developing an innovative class III implant combining biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and electrical stimulation.
The implant comprises protein-coated conducting microfibers that promote aligned neural cell growth across the lesion, embedded within a drug-eluting hydrogel that reduces fibrosis.
The system will be completed with an implantable electroactive device to provide electrical stimulation to potentiate tissue repair and functional recovery.
The implantation of drug-eluting gel / microfibers and electrical stimulation is able to promote the closure of the porcine spinal cord gap, with neural tissue regeneration across large lesions.
Cleanroom facility. Laboratory for Electrode Fabrication, IMTEK
