Medical Devices & Robotics
Research in this area takes advantage of the superb environment for computation and robotics at Carnegie Mellon University. Adjunct faculty at local medical centers have also been instrumental in mediating access to clinical facilities and patient data. Strong emphasis is placed on the understanding of fundamental principles and the development of enabling technologies.
Neural Computation and Neural Engineering
The Department of Biomedical Engineering has a strong focus in designing devices that interface directly with the nervous system. The groups of Chris Bettinger, Gary Fedder, and Burak Ozdoganlar design new types of compliant probes for high fidelity, minimally invasive neural interfaces. Shawn Kelly is designing a retinal prosthesis that can translate image data directly into electrical impulses, which are then applied to the retinal ganglion cells for restoring sight to patients with macular degeneration. These devices promise to alleviate sensory and/or motor deficits caused by injury, stroke, or disease.
Strong focus is placed in particular on neural signal processing. The group of Byron Yu uses machine learning techniques to elucidate how large populations of neurons process information, from encoding sensory stimuli to guiding motor actions (figure to the right). The group of Steven Chase combines analytical and experimental approaches to determine the computational and cognitive principles of motor control.
Knowledge gained from neural signal processing and computation may be used for the design of a new generation of devices that interface directly with populations of neurons, to translate neural activities into the movement of robotic limbs or computer cursors. Along this direction, the group of Hartmut Geyer investigates principles of legged dynamics and control, and applies the concept to the design of prosthetic devices (figure to the left).
Among other implantable devices, the groups of Phil Campbell and Lee Weiss collaboratively develop biodegradable spinal fusion stimulators with implantable, biodegradable electrodes and radio-frequency powered generators (figure to the right). These electrical stimulators pass a constant current in the micro ampere range to the tissue, to aid the repair and regeneration of a wide range of tissue types, including musculoskeletal, cardiac, and neural.