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Improves voluntary control of upper limbs following stroke and spinal cord injury.
Neuromodulation Research
CRANIA brings together research, clinical and academic expertise across multiple disciplines, in an environment with broad access to patients in a World-class Center for Research, Development, Application and Commercialization of Neuromodulation Technologies and Interventions in Toronto.
We are set-up to be fully integrated and first-to-clinic for neuromodulation therapies that can positively impact patients in the next 5 years.
Our Mission
To accelerate the translation of neuromodulation research to patient solutions that improve brain health and function.
Our Vision
The potential of every individual's brain is unlocked for better quality of life.
Message from Directors
On behalf of our entire team, we are delighted to welcome you to the Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA). CRANIA brings together research, clinical and academic expertise across multiple disciplines. Our World-Class Center is located in downtown Toronto, in an environment with broad access to patients. Our host institutions and partners are the University Health Network (UHN) and University of Toronto.
Our mission is to accelerate the translation of neuromodulation research to patient solutions that improve brain health and function. We are home to 60+ scientists, and 30+ trainees who are dedicated to improving the lives of our patients and generating new neurotechnology.
At CRANIA, we partner with leading institutions and companies to integrate therapies that positively impact patients' lives. If you would like to work with us, please contact us directly at info@crania.ca.
We invite you to take a tour of our website and encourage any feedback that will help us understand how we can continue to improve the lives of others.
Sincerely,
Taufik Valiante and Luka Milosevic
Co-Directors, CRANIA
Devices R&D - Electrodes & Coatings
Leads
A. Guenther (Mechanical and Industry Engineering, University of Toronto)P. Santerre (Faculty of Dentistry)
Activities
Manufacture electrodes that are fully customizable, biocompatible, collagen-based, with the option of being biodegradable and that minimize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) artifacts; thus, overcoming limitations of existing electrodes and extending their useful life.
Location
University of Toronto, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Dentistry
Equipment
Clean room tools for collagen electrode manufacturing and testing: Electrode surface coating development and testing (Laser Cutter, Maskless writer, High vacuum evaporator) and Collagen electrode development and testing equipment
Devices R&D - Electronics
Leads
R. Genov (Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Toronto)Activities
Develop a next generation implantable device that integrates electrodes from Core A with a wireless monitoring and communication system. Brain activity signals and other inputs will be processed and used, in real time, by the device to stimulate the brain (eg, deliver neuromodulation therapy) in a responsive manner via accurately implanted electrodes.
Location
University of Toronto, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Equipment
Digital components and tools for building circuits and sensors: Wireless Sensor and Stimulator Development, Custom Designed Integrated Circuits, Digital Components, Printed Circuit Board Router, Implantable Sensor Development, Characterization and Validation, Development of Miniaturised Optical Sensors for Diagnostics.
Neuromodulation Suite
Leads
S. Kalia (Neurosurgery) T. Krings (Joint Department of Medical Imaging) G. Zadeh (Neurosurgery)Activities
Develop, in collaboration with industry, advanced imaging, electrophysiological measurement and surgical navigation technologies to identify and target specific brain regions associated with disease in grey/white matter with unparalleled accuracy and precision.
Location
Toronto Western Hospital - University Health Network
Equipment
Low field strength (0.5T) MRI, robotic placement of electrodes, novel registration technologies, surgical\physiological targeting and navigation systems.
Technology Validation - Animal Models
Leads
L. Zhang (Krembil Research Institute) J. Zariffa (Toronto Rehabilitation Institute)Activities
Validate technologies from Cores A, B, and C in appropriate animal models. Technologies to be tested include: the wireless communication systems, implantable stimulators, implantable electrodes, connectors, sensors, closed-loop control strategies, coatings and other components of the implantable neuromodulation systems.
Location
Toronto Western Hospital - University Health Network
Equipment
Animal electrophysiological measurement and stereotaxic surgical systems.
Application- Closed-loop Capabilities
Leads
R. Wennberg (Neurology) A. Fasano (Neurology) C. Marquez Chin (Toronto Rehabilitation Institute)Activities
Clinical testing of closed loop algorithms, chips, and stimulation protocols with real time physiological/behavioral/cognitive assessments in healthy individuals and those with neurological conditions (Epilepsy, Parkinsons's etc). Test bed for the development of closed-loop neuromodulation strategies.
Location
Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital Movement Disorders Lab, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute REL (Lyndhurst)
Equipment
Research EMU amplifier system, Real-time gait analysis, EEG assessment systems, Neurological assessment system, Electrical stimulator, Optical kinematic, CRANIA lab renovations.
High Performance Computing (HPC)
Leads
C. Virtanen (University Health Network) N. Koudas (University of Toronto) A. Sheikholeslami (Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Toronto) S. Hill (Krembil Research Institute)Activities
Robust HPC infrastructure is required to collect, standardize and perform data analytics. Additionally, the UHN HPC4Health team will work with CRANIA to facilitate the necessary network interconnects to transfer pre-processed data gathered from sensor streams and other sources to HPC4Health. Application of Fujitsu's Digital Annealer to neuromodulation.
Location
University Health Network
Equipment
Computers and software.
Established Neuromodulation Therapies
WHAT IS NEUROMODULATION?
NEUROMODULATION changes brain, spinal cord or nerve function using advanced device(s) that interface with specific areas of the central or peripheral nervous system to reduce symptoms and address underlying disorder(s).
Latest Stories and Events
Media and Latest News
Our projects
Recent Projects
CRANIA M-gait Lab
Dr. Alfonso Fasano explains how CRANIA's new gait analysis lab at Toronto Western Hospital uses immersive lab technology to help patients with Parkinson's disease. The project is a product of close collaboration between researchers at the Krembil Brain Institute and the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.
Brain Disorders
Neurological disorders
4
M
Living with a neurological condition/injury
7
M
Experience mental illness or addiction in any given year
25
%
Burden of global disease
10
%
Neurological Disorders
Our Experts
Operations Team
Taufik Valiante
Co-Director/Founder
Luka Milosevic
Co-Director
Stephanie Iwasa
Staff Scientist & Project Manager
Yasser Karimzad
CRANIA Neuromodulation Suite Manager
UHN's Krembil Brain Institute on leading neuroscience and technology initiatives to treat epilepsy proactively
With new devices, research and innovations, the Krembil Brain Institute has become a leader in the science and practice of neuromodulatory procedures
New implantable devices can treat a surprising range of neurological conditions
Pioneering research in neuromodulation at Toronto's University Health Network is improving patients' lives
New centre at UHN pursues development of neurotechnologies that will improve brain health
Imagine: computer chips that are implanted in the brain to prevent memory loss, help stabilize mood and even stop an epileptic seizure. The Center for Advancing Neurological Innovation to Application—CRANIATM—ventures to turn these ideas of science fiction into a reality
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