The long-term objective of this project is to develop a novel medical implant for the treatment of intractable focal epilepsy. This implant is named as "Subdural Hybrid Neuroprosthesis", as its recording/drug delivery component will be placed under the dura mater and the device comprises both electrophysiological and pharmacological components. The general architecture and concept of the device was patented by us in 2002, with the patent for the advanced version is pending. It will monitor the electrical and/or neurochemical activity of epileptogenic zones in the cerebral cortex, analyze the acquired signals real-time, and deliver antiepileptic drugs into the epileptogenic zones before or at the onset of seizures to promptly stop the abnormal neural activity and achieve therapeutic effect.

Hardware components of this device are: a subdural electrode/catheter, a signal conditioner, a digital signal processor, a transcutaneously rechargeable power supply, a telemetry module, and a percutaneously refillable saline/antiepileptic drug minipump. We have developed the prototypes for the electrode/catheter and the minipump. The Hybrid Neuroprosthesis software will process and analyze the incoming signals from brain, recognize pre-seizure and seizure-onset signals, and control all hardware components. We have developed the first version of this software. We have also conducted tests in rats and monkeys that demonstrated the potential of the Hybrid Neuroprosthesis as a future intracranial therapeutic device.

Presently, we are engaged in constructing the complete apparatus, conducting further tests in monkeys, and making preparations for a pilot clinical study. The significance of this project is that it will develop a therapeutic strategy for epileptic patients whose focal seizures cannot be controlled with traditional pharmacological and surgical treatments. Neuroscientists, epileptologists, neurosurgeons and bioengineers are working together to accomplish this goal.