Projects

NESTOR comprises several interdependent sub-projects.

Sub-project A:
Brain anatomy

The precise implantation of a multi-electrode neuroprosthesis device in blind patients requires excellent knowledge of an individual patient’s brain anatomy. The goal of this subproject is hence to non-invasively map out the anatomy of the visual cortex in blind people, in order to carry out the necessary pre-surgical planning for electrode implantation.

Sub-project B:
Image processing

For a neuroprosthesis to convey useful information about the visual world, it must extract and convey the most relevant aspects of the visual scene to the user. The goal of this subproject is to design artificial phosphenes images that convey practical, behaviourally relevant information.

Sub-project C:
Implantable interface

A cortical visual prosthesis require the insertion of large numbers of electrodes into the visual cortex, and the delivery of weak electrical pulses to generate small artificial visual percepts, which are called ‘phosphenes.’ The goal of this subproject is to develop a system for a high-resolution interface with the visual cortex, and to investigate how these artificial patterns are perceived and interpreted in the brain. Furthermore, the neuroprosthesis should be robust, biocompatible, and chronically implantable, making it suitable for implantation in blind people.

Sub-project D:
Wireless technology

The system should be compact, durable, and mobile, affording users good freedom of movement. The goal of this subproject is to develop wireless technology for the transmission of power and information between the implant and the external equipment, thereby reducing the risk of infection that is associated with skin-penetrating cables and connectors.

The NESTOR consortium comprises the following research organisations:
The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Radboud University, and the University of Twente. © Copyright 2018 NESTOR. All Rights Reserved.