Researchers at NUST MISIS have patented a neuroimplant that will help restore damaged nerve tissues in the spinal cord. The structure consists of two layers: a biodegradable polymer and special fibers that can be filled with medications targeting damaged nerve tissues in the spinal cord and accelerating healing. Obtaining the patent confirms the high inventive level of the product and brings closer the possibility of launching production of the neuroimplant to assist people.
Acute spinal cord injury causes disruptions in signal transmission through nerve tissues, leading to irreversible loss of organ functionality, paralysis, and is rarely treatable. The main therapeutic methods are surgical intervention and symptomatic medication. However, this approach does not ensure tissue restoration and is unable to fully stop inflammatory processes that disrupt the functioning of the entire nervous system. To address this issue, scientists at NUST MISIS have created a neuroimplant made of hybrid materials based on water-soluble polymers, which can be combined with medicinal substances or cell therapy.
“The design consists of two substrates: a lattice structure and directed submicron fibers. The first layer is intended to replace connective tissue in the spinal cord for cell adhesion and growth. The second layer promotes directed healing of nerve tissue. Thanks to this combination, the implant is securely fixed to the damaged surface and, after releasing the medication, dissolves in the body, eliminating the need for a repeat operation and minimizing complications,” said Eleonora Zelenova, co-author of the patent and a researcher at the Scientific and Educational Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at NUST MISIS.
In collaboration with the Health Engineering consortium, preclinical studies were conducted to ensure that the development meets required standards and is ready for implementation in medical practice. The patent is necessary to move beyond the laboratory and make innovations accessible to patients.
“We are actively working on creating new solutions in the sphere of health engineering, developing technologies that can significantly improve people’s quality of life. This research focuses on integrating advanced materials into the neuromodulation system for medical diagnostics and therapy. We are open to collaboration. It is important that our development reaches mass production soon and helps patients,” said Fedor Senatov, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Head of the College of Biomedical Engineering at NUST MISIS.
The development of neurotechnologies is one of the important directions of the strategic project Biomedical Materials and Bioengineering at MISIS University under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation’s Priority-2030 program.
Rector of NUST MISIS Alevtina Chernikova added: “At NUST MISIS, an integrated master’s-doctoral program Biomaterials Science was developed in 2019 and has been successfully implemented for six years. Students from the first year of the master’s program participate in scientific research, publish articles in highly cited journals, work on projects funded by scientific foundations, and register patents for inventions. Ten out of eleven graduates from this year’s master’s program have entered doctoral studies, where they continue working on their innovative projects. The patented neuroimplant created by young researchers at NUST MISIS under the guidance of a talented scientist, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Fedor Senatov, will help restore motor functions, accelerate tissue recovery, and improve the quality of life for many patients.”
Previously, a team of students and graduate students from NUST MISIS won a competition at the IV Moscow international festival of student entrepreneurship “Moscow is Start Point” in 2024 with their project on developing a neuroimplant.
