Consortium Partners

IMT is the leader of the 

NerveRepack project consortium 

and is also the leader of WP1 

(Implantable electrodes), WP8 

(Integration the three 

demonstrators) and WP11 

(Management and Ethics). IMT is 

directly involved in the design, 

fabrication and testing of the 

implantable electrodes necessary 

for the bidirectional 

communications between the 

demonstrators’ mechatronic 

structures and the human 

nervous system. IMT will 

coordinate the integration of the 

separate modules developed over 

the duration of the project. 

UMF will contribute medical expertise in areas such as biocompatibility, medical data integration, and device design optimization. The ultimate goal of UMF in NerveRepack project is the successful implantation of the new device. Furthermore, the primary focus of UMF is on developing and implementing robust protocols that prioritize patient safety while striving for optimal clinical outcomes.

The University of Norway (USN) is actively involved in the development of the implantable electronic device, including the electronics design, the control block, wireless communication, and power management. Additionally, USN is contributing to the design, development and fabrication of the implantable electrodes.

Zimmer & Peacock (ZP) is a biosensor contract developer and product company based in Tønsberg, Norway. ZP specializes in making small, portable sensor systems for using bio-applications, ranging from medical, environmental, fitness, to safety and quality control. The core technology is electrochemistry. ZP, together with Saliva, CWM and Fraunhofer is designing a real-time monitoring system for the detection of failure modes in encapsulation materials meant for in vivo use. ZP leverages the their small instrumental workstations, optimized for high impedance, and low frequency, for the sensitive detection of liquid ingress of the NerveRepack implant. ZP is also conducting performance characterization of the implantable cuff and plug electrodes. 

In the NervereRepack project the group is primarily responsible for the design, development and manufacturing of the arm exoprosthesis and the leg exoskeleton focusing on the mechanical structure of the two demonstrators. UTH is responsible for the assembly of the actuation block in the exoprosthesis and the stability and proper functioning of the mechanism, calibrating and testing the functionality of the exoprosthesis’s overall mechanical structure.

Ostracon Ltd. was established in 2006 and is a leading company in providing consultation and R&D services as well as representing high-tech products in the health and exercise sectors.

Łukasiewicz – ŁIT started its activity on April 1, 2022. It was created from the merger of three Łódź-based institutes operating in the Łukasiewicz Research Network: Łukasiewicz - Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibers, Łukasiewicz Institute of Leather Industry and Łukasiewicz - Textile Research Institute. Thanks to the merger, Łukasiewicz-ŁIT covers 4 key research areas: Digital Transformation, Intelligent Mobility, Sustainable Economy and Energy, and Health.

Swistor develops high energy density energy storage devices and will contribute with customised supercapacitors to the implantable components and power management system of NerveRepack prototypes.

As an interdisciplinary research institute of the ETH Domain, Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, conducts cutting-edge materials and technology research. 

POLITEHNICA Bucharest is responsible for the design of two mechatronic structures (an arm prosthesis and a leg exoskeleton), as well as the development of the sensor interface architecture, electronic control system, and AI-based movement algorithms. The team integrates expertise in biomedical engineering, electronics, robotics, and artificial intelligence to enhance the functionality of neuroprosthetic systems within the NerveRepack project.

Within NerveRepack Fraunhofer IZM is focused on the biocompatible packaging of the implantable system. The Technologies for Bioelectronics (TBE) Group focuses on different aspects related to the assembly, packaging, and long- term performance of conformally-coated active neural interfaces. 

For this project, PBL combines the strength of its design office, made of experienced and qualified engineers, with the ability of its manufacturing department, equipped with numerically controlled lathes, cutters, 3D printers and 5-axis mills, both for plastic and metals. The combination of these two departments allows PBL to take part into the design and prototyping phases of the project.
PBL is directly involved in this project as a supplier of hardware components.

The NerveRepack team at the Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences of the University of Patras (UP) is involved in assessment of the biocompatibility of the implantable device and corresponding component materials. In vitro cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility testing are two major goals, as well as the evaluation of the biological effects of the electromagnetic radiation of the wireless power system to be assessed in cell models by application of established assays.

NHRF participates in the project with the Biomarker Discovery and Translational Research laboratory from ICB (Institue of Chemical Biology). We are leading the biocompatibility wet- and dry- lab pipelines for optimum design and performance.

​Adapttech is a leading Medtech innovation company that is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge smart technologies to the O&P (Orthotics and Prosthetics) market. Our primary goal is to empower clinicians with invaluable data, enabling them to support better socket fitting and monitoring methods. Through our innovative solutions, we strive to enhance the overall quality of life for individuals with lower-limb loss.

The main role of INEGI in NerveRepack project is to develop and implement the actuation block of the exoprosthesis. This includes integrating sensors into the palm and fingers of the device and testing the mechanical structure of the exoprosthesis to ensure its proper functionality. The entity also supports the establishment of testing protocols for evaluating the mechanical properties of the exoskeleton materials, along with their experimental validation. Furthermore, it is responsible for assembling the entire connectivity system—including wiring and electronic components—within the mechanical structure of the exoskeletons. Lastly, the entity participates in assembling and testing the sensor arrays and feedback interfaces, as well as verifying the overall functionality of the mechatronic structures.

The role of ABLE Human Motion in the consortium is to provide one of the three demonstrators of the technology: the NerveABLE, a bilateral robotic exoskeleton that will connect bidirectionally with the implantable neural system developed in the project. We are also directly involved in integrating the device with the implantable electrodes and the validation tests of the system.

In NerveRepack project, CWM will collaborate closely with FZIM, to forecast and ensure mechanical reliability of implanted parts in long term use, while keeping the option to support other partners as well with material scientific analyses.

Areus contributes to the development and integration of technological components necessary for the implantable electrodes and associated electronic modules, ensuring the efficient operation of exoprostheses and exoskeletons controlled by the patient's brain through the nervous system.

​Polito participates in the project with a team part of the eLiONS (electronic Life-Oriented iNtelligent Systems) research laboratory, Department of Electronics and Telecommunications. Polito leads the development, from the design of the overall architecture to functional validation of the fabricated systems, of the electronic platform and the embedded systems for interfacing with the implantable neural recording/stimulation device and for controlling the exoprosthesis/exoskeletons.
Project coordinator on behalf of Polito is Dr. Paolo Motto Ros.

Thanks to its experience in the CE-approval of medical devices, Omnidermal takes part in this project helping with the production and revision of the regulatory documentation and facilitating the choice of the best approval pathway for Nerverepack innovative medical devices.

Within NerveRepack, TUD is focused on the microstructuring of biocompatible electrode coatings.

Within NerveRepack, imec will contribute to the implantable electronics by means on design and implementation of two ASICs: An ASIC for nerve sensing and stimulation and an ASIC for wireless powering. In this context we collaborate with our consortium partners Salvia, POLITO, IMT, and USN.

In collaboration with IMEC, Salvia will contribute to the highly efficient wireless (inductive) powering of the shallow implant, as well as system definition and circuit integration into few components to ensure long-term reliability. Additionally, Salvia will work closely with FIZM, Acquandas and TUD on the implantable system integration using highly miniaturized and conformal PDMS encapsulation of the implant electronics.

In NerveRepack project, Osteopharm is mainly involved in WP4 with specific tasks, like defining the functionality requirements for the exoprosthesis from the user point of view. Osteopharm will participate also in the design of the mechatronic structure of the exoprosthesis, will develop a study on biocompatible materials that can be used for the fabrication of the collar and will participate in the testing and evaluation of the functionality of the exoprosthesis.

In NerveRepack is involved in the implantable electrodes design, production and testing. Also contributes to the implantable electronics overall design and connectivity.

PROUD offers solutions for heat management using diamond technology. The company will be involved in the design of power system of NerveRepack demostrators.