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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/N65806/01
Title: ANALYSIS & DECODING OF NEURAL INFORMATION ACQUIRED USING MICROENGINEERED PROBES
Principal Investigator: Hughes, Professor MP
Other Investigators:
Richards, Dr P Ewins, Professor DJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Engineering and Physical Sciences
Organisation: University of Surrey
Scheme: Fast Stream
Starts: 02 October 2000 Ends: 01 October 2003 Value (£): 62,788
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Microsystems
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics Healthcare
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
To decode neural information in order to control prostheses and orthoses for victims of paralysis or amputation, devices are required which can interface between the nervous system and computers. Attempts to implement such devices rely on using either complex and relatively large multi-probe systems, where each probe detects the activity of a very small number of neurons, or cuff electrodes where a whole-nerve signal is recorded. In this project a student will develop techniques to determine the locations and velocities of many neurons in a nerve using a single microengineered probe, restricting nerve damage and increasing robustness whilst increasing effectiveness. Using probes previously developed at the University of Surrey to record neural signals from locusts, and by taking histological sections from the locust nerve, computer models of locust peripheral nerves will be constructed. Data analysis methods will be devised to enable the computer to detect and reconstruct the neural information passing through the nerve. It is intended that the development of such a technique will assist in the subsequent development of implantable probes for use in humans, where they will be used to interface with healthy nerve tissue to control electrical stimulation orthoses, or prosthetic limbs for amputees.
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Organisation Website: http://www.surrey.ac.uk