Here I present several approaches to applying engineering design principles to the central nervous system with the goal of using closed-loop approaches to enhance rehabilitative processes. These approaches cover invasive access to the brain and spinal cord, as well as physical rehabilitation techniques that employ closed loop principles for direct clinical utility. Targeted plasticity in the motor cortex was induced in a nonhuman primate model using paired electrical stimulation. This stimulation produced robust changes in a subset of tested sites and conformed to the predicted changes following Hebb’s framework of spike-timing dependent plasticity. Novel electrode access to the cervical spinal cord allows for targeting of hand and arm motor pools. I designed, fabricated, tested, and iterated on two approaches to access the ventral aspect of the spinal cord to directly stimulate arm movement using targeted electrical stimulation with the goal of creating robust, de-fatiguing motor outputs from a stable stimulation site. Finally, I architected a closed-loop rehabilitation platform that directly measures hand and arm function, uses those measurements to control engaging gameplay in a digital environment, and quantify the quality of movement created by the user with the goal of making long term rehabilitation fun, accurate, and engaging for the end user. These approaches taken together represent a comprehensive approach to closed-loop motor rehabilitation.

Neural engineering is a discipline that uses engineering techniques to understand, repair, replace, enhance, or treat diseases of neural systems. Currently, no book other than this one covers this broad range of topics within motor rehabilitation technology. With a focus on cutting edge technology, it describes state-of-the-art methods within this field, from brain-computer interfaces to spinal and cortical plasticity. Touching on electrode design, signal processing, the neurophysiology of movement, robotics, and much more, this innovative volume collects the latest information for a wide range of readers working in biomedical engineering.

Millions of people worldwide are affected by neurological disorders which disrupt the connections within the brain and between brain and body causing impairments of primary functions and paralysis. Such a number is likely to increase in the next years and current assistive technology is yet limited. A possible response to such disabilities, offered by the neuroscience community, is given by Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) and neuroprostheses. The latter field of research is highly multidisciplinary, since it involves very different and disperse scientific communities, making it fundamental to create connections and to join research efforts. Indeed, the design and development of neuroprosthetic devices span/involve different research topics such as: interfacing of neural systems at different levels of architectural complexity (from in vitro neuronal ensembles to human brain), bio-artificial interfaces for stimulation (e.g. micro-stimulation, DBS: Deep Brain Stimulation) and recording (e.g. EMG: Electromyography, EEG: Electroencephalography, LFP: Local Field Potential), innovative signal processing tools for coding and decoding of neural activity, biomimetic artificial Spiking Neural Networks (SNN) and neural network modeling. In order to develop functional communication with the nervous system and to create a new generation of neuroprostheses, the study of closed-loop systems is mandatory. It has been widely recognized that closed-loop neuroprosthetic systems achieve more favorable outcomes for users then equivalent open-loop devices. Improvements in task performance, usability, and embodiment have all been reported in systems utilizing some form of feedback. The bi-directional communication between living neurons and artificial devices is the main final goal of those studies. However, closed-loop systems are still uncommon in the literature, mostly due to requirement of multidisciplinary effort. Therefore, through eBook on closed-loop systems for next-generation neuroprostheses, we encourage an active discussion among neurobiologists, electrophysiologists, bioengineers, computational neuroscientists and neuromorphic engineers. This eBook aims to facilitate this process by ordering the 25 contributions of this research in which we highlighted in three different parts: (A) Optimization of different blocks composing the closed-loop system, (B) Systems for neuromodulation based on DBS, EMG and SNN and (C) Closed-loop BMIs for rehabilitation.

Neurorehabilitation is a complex and growing field of motor rehabilitation. It is specifically directed to apply restorative techniques to stimulate neural plasticity of the central nervous system (CNS). Considering that neuroplasticity is maintained for the whole human life and can be stimulated through specific learning or exposure to enriched environments, we can hypothesize that applying specific treatments can be beneficial for people with CNS injury. Because the plateau of neuroplasticity can be observed after about 12 weeks from stroke onset it is vital to capitalize on this high level of brain reorganization by providing well-timed and well-designed treatments. Here we can distinguish a wide range of approaches developed for CNS recovery in acute, subacute, or chronic stage of injury. These approaches comprise priming or augmentation techniques, including innovative technologies like end-effector robots, exoskeletons, or virtual reality. Many of them have been confirmed as effective, but so far in clinical practice, we can still experience a lack of specific indications i.e., which therapy for how long time and for which patient’s impairment can be applied.

Millions of people worldwide are affected by neurological disorders which disrupt the connections within the brain and between brain and body causing impairments of primary functions and paralysis. Such a number is likely to increase in the next years and current assistive technology is yet limited. A possible response to such disabilities, offered by the neuroscience community, is given by Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) and neuroprostheses. The latter field of research is highly multidisciplinary, since it involves very different and disperse scientific communities, making it fundamental to create connections and to join research efforts. Indeed, the design and development of neuroprosthetic devices span/involve different research topics such as: interfacing of neural systems at different levels of architectural complexity (from in vitro neuronal ensembles to human brain), bio-artificial interfaces for stimulation (e.g. micro-stimulation, DBS: Deep Brain Stimulation) and recording (e.g. EMG: Electromyography, EEG: Electroencephalography, LFP: Local Field Potential), innovative signal processing tools for coding and decoding of neural activity, biomimetic artificial Spiking Neural Networks (SNN) and neural network modeling. In order to develop functional communication with the nervous system and to create a new generation of neuroprostheses, the study of closed-loop systems is mandatory. It has been widely recognized that closed-loop neuroprosthetic systems achieve more favorable outcomes for users then equivalent open-loop devices. Improvements in task performance, usability, and embodiment have all been reported in systems utilizing some form of feedback. The bi-directional communication between living neurons and artificial devices is the main final goal of those studies. However, closed-loop systems are still uncommon in the literature, mostly due to requirement of multidisciplinary effort. Therefore, through eBook on closed-loop systems for next-generation neuroprostheses, we encourage an active discussion among neurobiologists, electrophysiologists, bioengineers, computational neuroscientists and neuromorphic engineers. This eBook aims to facilitate this process by ordering the 25 contributions of this research in which we highlighted in three different parts: (A) Optimization of different blocks composing the closed-loop system, (B) Systems for neuromodulation based on DBS, EMG and SNN and (C) Closed-loop BMIs for rehabilitation.

Restoring human motor and cognitive function has been a fascinating research area during the last century. Interfacing the human nervous system with electro-mechanical rehabilitation machines is facing its crucial passage from research to clinical practice, enhancing the potentiality of therapists, clinicians and researchers to rehabilitate, diagnose and generate knowledge. The 2012 International Conference on Neurorehabilitation (ICNR2012) brings together researchers and students from the fields of Clinical Rehabilitation, Applied Neurophysiology and Biomedical Engineering, covering a wide range of research topics: · Clinical Impact of Technology · Brain-Computer Interface in Rehabilitation · Neuromotor & Neurosensory modeling and processing · Biomechanics in Rehabilitation · Neural Prostheses in Rehabilitation · Neuro-Robotics in Rehabilitation · Neuromodulation This Proceedings book includes general contributions (2-page extended abstracts) from oral and poster sessions, as well as from special sessions. A section is also dedicated to pre-post conference workshops, including invited contributions from internationally recognized researchers. A selection of most relevant papers have been considered for publication in international journals (e.g. JNER, JACCES, ...)., therefore they will appear soon in their extended versions in Special Issues. These Proceedings also contain brief descriptions of keynote lectures from invited world-class professors, and a number of thematic round tables covering technological and institutional issues.

Over the last decade a dramatic change has occurred in the field of neurorehabilitation in motor recovery that is marked by three transitions: first, by movement away from intuitive and ideology-based approaches to evidence-based therapy practices; second, by a change from hands-on treatment of patients to hands-off coaching approaches by motor therapists, who incorporate knowledge about motor reorganization and motor learning; and, finally, by a transition from one-on-one treatments to group-oriented treatments. General rules (such as the need for repetition, feedback of results, shaping task difficulty) have been derived from the animal experimental and human behavioral literature and incorporated into the design of innovative treatment strategies that can be adapted to individual patients' needs. This chapter reviews the state of the art for most of the evidence-based motor therapy concepts in the rehabilitation of patients with motor deficits after stroke, traumatic brain injury, etc., and other conditions. Treatment approaches derived from neuromodulation techniques such as stimulation or blockage of peripheral nerves, noninvasive brain stimulation, and pharmacological means are addressed. Finally, a modular concept is proposed to define optimal therapeutic approaches according to the individual level and type of impairment.

In recent years, major results were reported on Brain-Computer Interface / Brain-Machine Interface (BCI/BMI) applied to rehabilitation in scientific reports and papers. This subject received much attention within the Society on Communication, Navigation, Sensing and Services (CONASENSE) during the period 2013-2015. Describing the state of the art on various BCI/BMI activities related to neuro-rehabilitation is the central theme of this book. The latest insights coming from neurophysiologists, neuropsychologists, ICT experts specialized in clinical data management and from representatives of patient organizations are elucidated and new ways for “BCI/BMI applied to rehabilitation” using advanced ICT are introduced. The book describes the latest progress in and is an appeal for an approach leading to more cost-saving multi-disciplinary neuro-rehabilitation. This book covers the following topics: · Overview on BCI/BMI applied to rehabilitation · ICT for Neuro-rehabilitation · ICT for new generation prostheses · Gaze tracking, facial orientation determination, face and emotion recognition in 3D space for neuro-rehabilitation applications · Integrated perspective for future wide spread integration of motor neuro-rehabilitation · Ethical issues in the use of Information and Communication Technologies in the health care of patients with neurological disorders

This revised, updated, and substantially expanded third edition provides an accessible, practical overview of major areas of research, technical development and clinical application in the field of neurorehabilitation movement therapy. The initial section provides the basic framework and a rationale for technology application in movement therapy by summarizing recent findings in neuroplasticity and motor learning. The following section provides a detailed overview of the movement physiology of various neurologic conditions, illustrating how this knowledge has been used to design various neurorehabilitation technologies. The third section then explains the principles of human-machine interaction for movement rehabilitation. The fourth section provides an overview of assessment technology and predictive modeling in neurorehabilitation. The fifth section provides a survey of technological approaches to neurorehabilitation, including spinal cord stimulation, functional electrical stimulation, virtual reality, wearable sensing, brain computer interfaces, mobile technologies, and telerehabilitation. The final two sections examine in greater detail the ongoing revolution in robotic therapy for upper extremity movement and walking, respectively. The promises and limitations of these technologies in neurorehabilitation are discussed, including an Epilogue which debates the impact and utility of robotics for neurorehabilitation. Throughout the book the chapters provide detailed practical information on state-of-the-art clinical applications of these devices following stroke, spinal cord injury, and other neurologic disorders and future developments in the field. The text is illustrated throughout with photographs and schematic diagrams which serve to clarify the information for the reader. Neurorehabilitation Technology, Third Edition is a valuable resource for neurologists, biomedical engineers, roboticists, rehabilitation specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and those training in these fields. Chapter “Spinal Cord Stimulation to Enable Leg Motor Control and Walking in People with Spinal Cord Injury is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This Handbook serves as an authoritative reference book in the field of Neuroengineering. Neuroengineering is a very exciting field that is rapidly getting established as core subject matter for research and education. The Neuroengineering field has also produced an impressive array of industry products and clinical applications. It also serves as a reference book for graduate students, research scholars and teachers. Selected sections or a compendium of chapters may be used as “reference book” for a one or two semester graduate course in Biomedical Engineering. Some academicians will construct a “textbook” out of selected sections or chapters. The Handbook is also meant as a state-of-the-art volume for researchers. Due to its comprehensive coverage, researchers in one field covered by a certain section of the Handbook would find other sections valuable sources of cross-reference for information and fertilization of interdisciplinary ideas. Industry researchers as well as clinicians using neurotechnologies will find the Handbook a single source for foundation and state-of-the-art applications in the field of Neuroengineering. Regulatory agencies, entrepreneurs, investors and legal experts can use the Handbook as a reference for their professional work as well.​