RISEUP

Implantable technology for spinal cord injury treatment using electric pulses.

RISEUP is a FET-OPEN H2020 funded project, which aims to attain neuronal functional regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) by an innovative bio-hybrid-compatible electro-activated and wireless rechargeable implantable technology. The strategy proposed is to transplant stem cells into the lesioned area and to stimulate them, through a wireless system, with microsecond electric pulses that, modulating cells calcium fluxes, will differentiate them in neurons. To this aim an electrified, bio-compatible and completely flexible scaffold has been produced to deliver the electric stimulation to the cells when they are inside the spine. A possible anti-inflammatory effect on the lesioned area thanks to the electric stimulation is also under investigation.

The long-term vision of RISEUP is not only a radical change in SCI treatment modality to assure the cure delivery without any machinery connection, improving patients’ quality of life, but also has the great potential to be employed in various medical applications with significant advancements in healthcare.