CARSS is part of National Institute of Health (NIH) Human Open Research Neural Engineering Technologies (HORNET) initiative for open-architecture, open-source implantable neuromodulation system: the OpenNerve platform. We are a collaborative team from the University of Southern California (USC, Los Angeles, CA), Medipace Inc. (Pasadena, CA), and Med-Ally LLC (Goose Creek, SC). The team fully supports the open-architecture, open-source goals of CARSS and the two industry members provide a path for sustainability of access to developed technology after the conclusion of the CARSS program.
Our Goals:
The intent of CARSS is to enable a community-supported neurotechnology platform through our community engagement, education, and dissemination activities. Our approach considers users with diverse perspectives at different career stages, types of institutions, and backgrounds. The CARSS program is developed with the intent to lower barriers to entry for new investigators by removing technical and financial hurdles to getting access to implantable neuromodulation technologies designed with bioelectronic medicine indications in mind.
We offer open- or close-loop operation through selection of different lead configurations to provide experimental flexibility and control to the clinical bioelectronic medicine research community. The common header and connector format supports derivative leads and new modalities of sensors as they become available from our center. All CARSS-developed hardware and software will be open-architecture and open-source with complete documentation and design libraries, which can be found under ‘Open-Source Content’.
What CARSS is Developing:
CARSS is focused on developing 5 different NESTS as part of the OpenNerve system. These device components are grouped according to function including the following:
NEST 1: Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) and External Charger
Led by Med-Ally, this NEST is developing the mechanical components for the IPG and external charger as well as the testing procedures and performance metrics for them.
NEST 2: Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) and Firmware Development for NEST 1
Led by Medipace, this NEST is developing the design of the PCBA and the firmware for the IPG and external charger and is responsible for the testing procedures, performance metrics, and benchtop performance of these components.
NEST 3: PDMS Cuff, SNS Lead, ECG, EMG, and AMS Leads
Led by Med-Ally, this NEST is developing the PDMS Cuff, SNS Lead, ECG, EMG, and AMS Leads as well as the testing procedures, performance metrics, and benchtop performance of these components.
NEST 4: Helical Microfabricated Cuff
Led by University of Southern California (USC), this NEST is responsible for the design and development of the Parylene-based helical cuff (PHC) and the PHC surgical placement tool as well as the testing procedures, performance metrics, and benchtop performance of these components.
NEST 5: End-Organ Sensing of Temperature, Motility, Catecholamines, Acetylcholine, and pH
Led by multiple investigators at the USC, this NEST is responsible for the design and testing of multiple sensor types, including resistive and capacitive strain sensors, temperature sensors, catecholamine sensors, acetycholine sensors, and pH sensors. This NEST is also responsible for the testing procedures, performance metrics, and benchtop performance of these components using hardware from NEST 2.
University of Southern California
1002 West Childs Way MCB-496
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1111
E: carss@usc.edu