Biocompatible Flexible Microfabricated Sensors for Surgical Applications

这个I-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发解决听力损失的技术，并探索该技术的后续应用。该项目旨在改善耳蜗植入手术的结果和安全性，并帮助减轻全球患者听力损失的负担和成本（估计为9810亿美元）。仅在美国，由于听力损失造成的生产力损失每年高达1940亿美元。还有一个很大的个人成本，因为听力损失的人报告了更高的孤独，抑郁和孤立的情况。这项技术将为外科医生提供实时反馈，以改进他们的手术技术，并为外科医生和护理提供者提供前所未有的临床数据集，以指导术后护理。总之，这些将使接受耳蜗植入手术的患者能够改善其残余听力的保护，并降低手术结果不佳的风险。通过解决采用障碍，这项技术可以重新连接更多的人与听力世界。这个I-Corps项目是基于传感器技术和术中引导系统的开发，以改善Cochiar植入手术后的听力结果。听力损失是全球残疾的主要原因，估计在全球造成9810亿美元的损失。该项目旨在开发和部署与Coplanar植入物集成的微机电系统传感器，以实时定量监测电极位置和力，从而增强外科医生的触觉反馈。传感器技术与机器学习指导系统相结合，将允许患者内部和患者之间的技术改进。髋关节植入手术将产生更一致的听力结果，包括残余听力保留。此外，该传感器系统生成的数据将使新的术中和术后协议成为可能，因为医学界更好地了解植入过程中的陷阱。通过这种方法改善手术结果和康复计划将有助于更广泛的监管批准，以扩大合格性并促进患者采用。这项技术将扩大耳鼻喉科植入物的市场，可以通过帮助减少与听力损失相关的孤立，抑郁和孤独来改善听力和生活质量。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of technology to address hearing loss and exploring follow-on applications of the technology. This project aims to improve outcomes and safety of Cochlear Implant surgery and help relieve the burden and costs (estimated $981B) of hearing loss to patients globally. In the US alone, lost productivity due to hearing loss costs up to $194B annually. There is also a large personal cost as people with hearing loss reported higher cases of loneliness, depression, and isolation. This technology will provide real-time feedback to surgeons to refine their surgical technique, as well as provide an unprecedented clinical dataset to surgeons and care providers to guide post-op care. Together, these will allow patients who undergo Cochlear Implant surgery to improve preservation of their residual hearing and reduce the risk of poor surgical outcomes. By addressing barriers to adoption, this technology can re-connect more people with the hearing world.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a sensor technology and intraoperative guidance system to improve hearing outcomes after Cochlear Implant surgery. Hearing loss is a leading cause of disability worldwide, responsible for an estimated $981B in global costs. This project aims to develop and deploy Micro Electro-Mechanical System sensors integrated with Cochlear Implants to quantitatively monitor the electrode position and forces in real-time in order to augment the surgeon’s tactile feedback. The sensor technology coupled with a Machine Learning guidance system will allow technique refinement within and across patients. Cochlear Implant surgery will yield more consistent hearing outcomes, including residual hearing preservation. Moreover, the data generated by this sensor system will enable new intra- and post-operative protocols as the medical community better understands the pitfalls during implantation. Improved surgical outcomes and rehabilitation plans enabled by this approach will facilitate broader regulatory approval for expanded eligibility and boost patient adoption. This technology will expand the market for Cochlear Implants, can improve hearing and quality of life by helping reduce isolation, depression, and loneliness associated with hearing loss.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.