Shedding light on neurological disorders

New technology has been developed which could benefit people with chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, drug-resistant epilepsy, sleep apnoea and depression.

The Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC) hosted at Tyndall National Institute has developed the lighting technology for Belgium-based Synergia Medical, which is developing medical devices that will take light (photonics) deep into the body of patients to carry the energy needed to treat neurological disorders and improve their quality of life.

This use of photonics to deliver power reduces constraints linked to patient monitoring during MRI exams, allowing enhanced imaging procedures essential for the treatment and follow-up of the disease. This use of light will ultimately pave the way to new personalised therapies.

Commenting, Brian Corbett from Tyndall’s IPIC, said: “The development of this ground-breaking technology at IPIC again positions Ireland as a centre for research excellence in the field of optical powering for medical devices.

“The science behind the technology is an optical ‘power lead’ utilising an efficient miniaturised photovoltaic cell subsystem that enables light to be transmitted from a neurostimulator embedded in the body to an electrode, where it converts the light to electricity that then powers the electrode. This replaces metal cables and thereby makes the system MRI compatible.”

Pascal Doguet, co-founder and CTO of Synergia Medical, said: “Ireland through Tyndall’s IPIC is currently leading in the area of photonics, the science and application of light to technology, so they were the natural choice to partner with to help develop our latest technology. We have also recruited one of their post-doctorate researchers to continue the development of the technology with us in Belgium.”