# HORNET Center for Autonomic Nerve Recording and Stimulation Systems (CARSS)

> **NIH NIH U41** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2024 · $1,806,105

## Abstract

Despite a wide-ranging interest in performing clinical research for bioelectronic medicine applications, there are
no open-architecture and open-source implantable systems for autonomic nerve stimulation and recording
available to researchers. As a result, progress towards bioelectronic clinical therapies is hampered by the
significant technical, regulatory, and financial hurdles faced by researchers to gain access to the few commercial
implantable neuromodulation technologies for early clinical studies. The few clinical closed-loop implantable
neuromodulation systems presently available are not suitable for the many bioelectronic medicine applications
envisioned, as they lack key functional modules for accessing the autonomic nerves; moreover, most use closed
architectures (e.g., the use of custom ASICs instead of commercial over-the-shelf components) and proprietary
software, limiting the ability to adapt such systems for different clinical indications.
 To address these shortcomings, the overall objective of this HORNET Center for Autonomic Nerve Recording
and Stimulation Systems (CARSS) is to develop and disseminate a fully open-architecture and open-source
implantable system for autonomic nerve stimulation and end-organ sensing. In this administrative supplement,
we will perform short-term and long-term validation of the CARSS system functionality in small and large animals
for three intended use cases: bladder control, hypoglycemia, and unidirectional nerve block. The CARSS system
includes an external charger and controller, implantable pulse generator, and an assortment of implantable leads
for nerve stimulation and end-organ sensing. The use of sacral anterior root stimulation for treating neurogenic
bladder dysfunction and the use of vagus nerve stimulation for treating hypoglycemia were selected based on
potential clinical indications that are of interest to the NIH SPARC program. Validation of the synchronized low-
frequency alternating current block was selected, as unidirectional activation of the vagus nerve can be applied
for several bioelectronic medicine indications, such as hyperglycemia, chronic inflammatory diseases, and heart
failure.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11000739
- **Project number:** 3U41NS129514-02S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Ellis Meng
- **Activity code:** U41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,806,105
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2024-04-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11000739

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11000739, HORNET Center for Autonomic Nerve Recording and Stimulation Systems (CARSS) (3U41NS129514-02S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-08-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11000739. Licensed CC0.

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