# Augmenting Implanted Neuroprosthetics with Targeted Health Monitoring for Spinal Cord Injury - the LIFELINE

> **NIH NIH R01** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $666,670

## Abstract

Abstract Summary
 This proposal involves the development of an implanted health monitoring device, the "Lifeline"
device, which senses health-related parameters, including temperature, electrocardiogram,
photoplethysmogram, inertial measurement, and acoustic signals. We propose to enhance our existing
modular neuroprosthetic system, the "Networked Neuroprosthesis" (NNP), with the Lifeline device, creating
a comprehensive health monitoring system. The NNP System has already begun clinical evaluation in
individuals with SCI for providing motor function, but currently lacks health monitoring capability. We are
designing the Lifeline device as an integral component of the NNP system because the NNP system provides
an existing source of implanted power, significant processing capacity, wireless data transmission, data
storage, and an array of existing modules (electrical stimulation, biopotential recording, temperature
sensing, inertial sensing). Thus the NNP system provides a platform for implementing and evaluating the
benefits of implanted health monitoring while minimizing the development costs and regulatory hurdles.
As designed, the Lifeline component adds minimal additional risk with respect to surgical implantation and
system operation.
 An exciting anticipated outcome of the Lifeline-enhanced NNP System is the capacity to provide
advanced warning regarding the top causes of increased mortality in individuals with SCI, enabling earlier
detection and medical intervention that may ultimately increase overall life expectancy. The causes of early
mortality include pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), pulmonary embolism (PE), and autonomic
dysreflexia (AD), which are unique to, or more prevalent in, people with SCI (particularly tetraplegia). The
addition of the Lifeline device to the NNP System is the first step towards an implantable "life-saving
neuroprosthesis". The overall benefit of the Lifeline-enhanced NNP System for SCI is twofold: 1) the high
expectation of a functional benefit from the motor neuroprosthesis (original NNP System), and 2) the
potential life-extending features of the implanted health monitoring (Lifeline). At the completion of this
project, we anticipate having a single modular system that will be capable of providing both improved health
and improved function for anyone with SCI, thus prolonging life while, at the same time, increasing
independence and quality of life.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10436372
- **Project number:** 5R01EB031911-02
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** KEVIN L. KILGORE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $666,670
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10436372

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10436372, Augmenting Implanted Neuroprosthetics with Targeted Health Monitoring for Spinal Cord Injury - the LIFELINE (5R01EB031911-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10436372. Licensed CC0.

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