Funding: ~ 1.5 M€
Starting date: April 2024
Duration: 60 months
Coordinator: Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute
The IBRIS project (Innovative BioRobotic artIficial organS) aims to develop a new generation of implantable artificial organs capable of fully replacing the functions of damaged native organs. Selected as one of the eight projects under the “Grant Advanced” program in Physical Sciences and Engineering, IBRIS will span a 60-month period.
While various solutions for replacing native organs with artificial devices already exist, they face significant limitations, particularly in terms of long-term implantability. IBRIS seeks to revolutionize the field by focusing on those scientific aspects that are currently challenging for implantable devices, such as energy supply, remote control, miniaturization, all-on-board actuation, biocompatibility, and, most importantly, ensuring a seamless physical and psychological integration with the patient to ensure a high quality of life.
The project will explore as first two dynamic organ systems: the urinary bladder and the heart. The heart requires fully autonomous solutions, capable of functioning and adapting within the body, while the urinary bladder requires the patient involvement in its operational loop for proper function.
Both robotic organ counterparts are already at an advanced stage of development in research and, from these initial clinical applications we will expand to other organs.
By combining cutting-edge technologies from robotics and bioengineering, IBRIS will create artificial organs that not only meet the patient physiological needs but also push the boundaries of technological innovation.
