Student project: Design and Optimization of a Wireless Closed-Loop Neuromodulation System

*Important for non-EU students: You'll need to be registered at a Dutch university to meet immigration requirements.

Explore latest imec's technology and state-of-the-art solutions in architecting a wireless system for high precision selective peripheral nerve stimulation implants.

What you will do

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of the nerves outside of the central nervous system (CNS) connecting the CNS to the organs, muscles, and skin. It is a bi-directional pathway between the CNS and internal organs and hence can have a powerful impact on the functionality of both. Currently, interest in peripheral nerve stimulation is growing as an alternative or a complement to pharmacological treatment, i.e., treatment with medication, for applications such as epilepsy, pain, depression, and chronic inflammatory diseases. One of the major challenges for increasing the effectiveness of stimulation lies in achieving a closed loop intervention, such that stimulation paradigms are adapted based on direct sensing of stimulation effects. This can be achieved by recording neural activity or from reading out end organs themselves. This would ensure better spatial and functional selectivity of neuromodulation, while minimizing unwanted side effects.
 
At imec, a novel neuromodulation platform has been developed to simultaneously stimulate neural tissue in vivo while recording the evoked neural responses, enabling closed-loop operation. The platform is based on imec's latest neuromodulation ASICs and serves as a versatile research tool for pre-clinical neuromodulation studies. To date, it has been successfully used to investigate advanced stimulation paradigms in both small animal models, such as earthworms, and large animal models, including pigs. Despite its experimental capabilities, the current platform was not designed to efficiently execute computationally intensive algorithms in a real-time closed-loop setting or to wirelessly transmit the large volumes of neural data required for external processing. As a result, further optimization of the system architecture is required to support (i) low-latency signal processing, (ii) low-latency wireless data transmission, and (iii) more advanced closed-loop neuromodulation applications.
 
The objective of this project is to investigate the architectural trade-offs and design choices required to develop a prototype of a wireless, closed-loop PNS implant. This includes evaluating hardware and firmware optimizations, power consumption, wireless operation, and system integration while maintaining reliable closed-loop neuromodulation performance. Available off-the-shelf solutions will be considered for building the desired system, which, combined with the latest custom ASICs (e.g. neuromodulation, data compression) and benchtop system design choices developed within imec, will form a base for the assignment. The project would include a system design phase and validation, firmware/software development and functional verification and validation.
 
More specifically, the prototype will be evaluated in an in-vitro and/or ex-vivo setup, through delivering stimulation over multi-contact electrodes and reading out neural response. Stimulation control signals are transmitted through wired (or preferably wireless) interface. Also, capabilities of closed-loop operation will be tested, using available control paradigms for adapting stimulation parameters in near real-time, available at imec.
        
Student tasks will include:

• Literature review.
• Get acquainted with available stimulation and recording system, along with the control-loop software framework and custom imec ASICs.
• Get acquainted with current in-vivo experimental setup.
• Design and create a prototype neuromodulation system and perform electrical testing/verification.
• Extend the existing firmware and develop new firmware/software functionalities.
• Design and perform experimental evaluations of several closed-loop control strategies for improving stimulation selectivity.Prepare reports/documentation and, depending on results, write a paper.

What we do for you

• You will be working on state-of-the-art technology and tools for stimulation of peripheral nerves, that can be deployed to improve efficacy of neuromodulation treatments in the healthcare domain. 
• You will be working in an inspiring high-tech environment, located within the Holst Centre in Eindhoven, and part of the larger IMEC organization, world-leader in R&D on nanotechnology and electronics.
• You will receive support from experienced researchers having diverse background relevant for the execution of the project.
• You will be a member of our multi-disciplinary team of researchers, engineers and innovators, and will be offered an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious aims in making real impact on actual healthcare needs.  

Who you are

• Excellent MSc student in Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or equivalent.
• You are entitled to do an internship in The Netherlands (have EU nationality and/or currently study at Dutch University).
• Available for 9 months or longer.
• Have good experience in electronic system design and evaluation (e.g., PCB design in Altium).
• Experience in firmware/software development, particularly FPGA programming.
• Have experience in performing circuit simulations using a commercial package (e.g., LTSpice and/or Tina TI).
• Have experience with lab instrumentation (e.g., signal generators, oscilloscopes).
• Experience in signal processing, especially processing of bio-signals, is a plus.
• Eager to take ownership for your student project.
• Have a structured way of working.
• Have good command of spoken and written English. 

Interested

Does this position sound like an interesting next step in your career at imec? Don’t hesitate to submit your application by clicking on ‘APPLY’.
Should you have more questions about the job, you can contact jobs@imec.nl.