Conference Program

At IFESS 2012 you will have the opportunity to participate in amazing panels and sessions featuring some of the most prominent researchers worldwide and the most relevant topics to neural prostheses.

Please note that the entire Scientific Program will take place in the Kinnear Centre

Author Index   Register Now

Sunday, September 9, 2012
TIME   Activity Chairs/Moderators Paper title
08:00-08:05   Opening Remarks  Dr. Vivian Mushahwar (Conf. Chair)  
08:05-08:10   Welcoming Address Dr. Kathryn Todd (Professor and Senior VP (Research) - Alberta Health Services)  
08:15-09:00 Keynote I IFESS 2012 Scientist of Vision Award Recipient: Dr. Michael Levin
(Tufts University)
Drs.  Vivian Mushahwar and Milos Popovic  
    Title: Endogenous Bioelectrical Controls of Growth and Form: molecular mechanisms and biomedical opportunities    
09:05-10:30 Session D1-I Electrical Stimulation and Regenerative Medicine  Dr. Rajiv Midha  
09:05-09:10   Introduction to Session    
09:10-09:25   Dr. Rajiv Midha
(University of Calgary)
  Direct nerve and transynaptic spinal cord electrical stimulation enhances axonal regeneration and target reinnervation
09:25-9:40   Mario Romero-Ortega
(University of Texas at Arlington and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)
  Closed-loop Peripheral Nerve Interfacing Through Regenerative Multielectrode Arrays
09:40-09:55   Yury Gerasimenko
(University of California - Los Angeles)
  Multisite spinal cord stimulation to facilitate posture and locomotion
09:55-10:10   Laura Alvarado-Pacheco
Vodovnik Award Nominee

(University of Alberta)
  FES-assisted arm and leg cycling improves walking speed and regularity after spinal cord injury
10:10-10:30   Discussion    
10:30-10:45   Break     
10:45-12:15 Session D1-II New Directions Dr. Milos Popovic  
10:45-10:50   Introduction to Session    
10:50-11:05   Chet Moritz
(University of Washington - Seattle)
  Cervical intraspinal microstimulation improves forelimb motor recovery after spinal contusion injury
11:05-11:20   Robert Shepherd
(Bionic Institute and Melbourne University)
  An overview of preclinical studies for the development of a safe and effective retinal prosthesis
11:20-11:35   Patrick Pilarski
(University of Alberta)
  Towards Prediction-Based Prosthetic Control
11:35-11:50   Daniel McDonnall
(Ripple, Inc)
  Verification and Validation of a Blink Prosthesis for Patients with Facial Paralysis

11:50-12:15   Discussion    
12:15-13:30   Lunch     
13:30-15:00 Session D1-III Neuromorphic Engineering and Circuits Dr. Ralph Etienne-Cummings  
13:30-13:35   Introduction to Session    
13:35-13:50   Kevin Mazurek
(Johns Hopkins University)
  Neuromorphic approach to a locomotion control algorithm as applied to the cat walking cycle
13:50-14:05   Glenn DeMichele
(Illinois Institute of Technology)
  Enhancements for the Implantable Myoelectric Sensing (IMES) System
14:05-14:20   Russell Dodd -
Vodovnik Award Nominee
 
(University of Alberta)
  Microelectronics for In-Vivo Neural Recording
14:20-14:35   Sung Eun Lee -
Vodovnik Award Nominee
(Seoul National University)
  A Compact Deep Brain Stimulation System for Animal Experiments
14:35-15:00   Discussion    
15:00-15:15   Break     
15:15-16:45 Plenary Session I The Path to Success of the Cochlear Prosthesis:
Dr. Robert Shepherd
(Bionic Institute and University of Melbourne)
Dr. Jay Ingram  
    Prelude:  Dr. Trina Uwiera
(Pediatric Cochlear Implant Surgeon, University of Alberta)
   
17:00-19:00   Opening Reception     

Monday, September 10, 2012
TIME   Activity Chairs/Moderators  
08:15-09:00 Keynote II Dr. Andres Lozano (University of Toronto) Dr. Zelma Kiss  
    Title: Electrical Stimulation to Adjust the Activity of Circuits and Networks in the Human Brain    
09:05-10:30 Session D2-I Neuromodulation Dr. Andres Lozano  
Dr. Zelma Kiss
 
09:05-09:10   Introduction to Session    
09:10-09:25   Mark George (Medical University of South Carolina)   New Findings Regarding Electrical Stimulation Treatments for Depression (ECT and TMS)
09:25-09:40   Shirley Fecteau (Laval University)   Cognitive enhancement with noninvasive brain stimulation
09:40-09:55   Aiko Thompson (Helen Hayes Hospital)   Operant Conditioning of the Soleus H-Reflex in People with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury and Its Effects on Locomotion
09:55-10:10   Alyssa Hindle (University of Alberta)   Changes in corticospinal excitability for a hand muscle induced by functional electrical stimulation versus somatosensory stimulation
10:10-10:30   Discussion    
10:30-10:45   Break     
10:45-12:15 Session D2-II Electrodes: At the Neural Interface Dr. Thomas Stieglitz 
Dr. Anastasia Elias
 
10:45-10:50   Introduction to Session    
10:50-11:05   David Martin (University of Delaware)   Direct local polymerization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) in rat brain
11:05-11:20   Patrick Tresco (University of Utah)   A Predictive Model of the Foreign Body Response to Devices Implanted Chronically in the Central Nervous System
11:20-11:35   Jens Schoenburg (Lund University)   Floating ultraflexible neural interfaces – concepts and novel design
11:35-11:50   Anne Vanhoestenberghe (University College London)   An interconnection method for ultra-compliant electrodes
11:50-12:15   Discussion    
12:15-13:30   Lunch     
13:30-17:00 Session D2-III Free Activity in Banff National Park and Surrounding Areas    
17:00-20:00 Session D2-IV Chaired Poster Session    
  Dinner (in Conjunction with Poster Session)    

Tuesday, September 11, 2012
TIME   Activity Chairs/Moderators  
08:15-09:00 Keynote III Dr. Todd Kuiken (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University) Dr. Ming Chan  
    Title: Targeted Reinnervation: Development of a neural interface for artificial limbs    
09:05-10:30 Session D3-I Bionic Medicine and Plasticity  Dr. Todd Kuiken   Dr. Ming Chan  
09:05-09:10   Introduction to Session    
09:10-09:25   Ming Chan
(University of Alberta)
  A Novel Targeted Sensory Reinnervation Method to Enhance Feedback and Improve Function of Myoelectric Prostheses after Upper Limb Amputation
09:25-09:40   Paul Marasco
(Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center)
  An electrophysiological investigation of the neural substrates of limb movement feedback
09:40-09:55   Peter Konrad
(Vanderbilt University)
  Microneurography as a tool for testing limb prosthetics
09:55-10:10   Ephrem Zewdie -
Vodovnik Award Nominee (University of Alberta)
  Increases in the excitability of spinal inhibitory pathways from intensive locomotor training after incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
10:10-10:30   Discussion    
10:30-10:45   Break     
10:45-12:15 Session D3-II Reanimating the Limbs: Neuroprostheses and Exoskeletons Dr. Daniel Ferris   Dr. Nitin Sharma   
10:45-10:50   Introduction to Session    
10:50-11:05   Daniel Ferris
(University of Michigan)
  Incorporating feedforward control from the human nervous system into robotic exoskeletons and prostheses
11:05-11:20   Robert Kirsch
(Case Western Reserve University)
  Implanted neuroprosthesis for reanimating the arm in high tetraplegia
11:20-11:35   Ronald Triolo
(Case Western Reserve University)

 

Neuroprostheses for Standing, Stepping and Seated Function after Paralysis: The Emperor's New Clothes or The Wrong Trousers?
11:35-11:50   Brad Holinski -
Vodovnik Award Nominee
(University of Alberta)
  Intraspinal Microstimulation for Restoring Walking
11:50-12:15   Discussion    
12:15-13:30   Lunch     
13:30-15:00 Session D3-III Brain Machine Interfaces Dr. Anna Wang Roe Dr. Patrick Pilarski  
13:30-13:35   Introduction to Session    
13:35-13:50   Anna Wang Roe
(Vanderbilt University)
  Optical imaging of cortical networks via intracortical microstimulation
13:50-14:05   Christian Ethier
(Northwestern University)
  Auto-adaptive algorithm for FES neuroprostheses
14:05-14:20   Marissa Powers
(Drexel University)
  Volitional hind limb movement after complete spinal cord transection using cortical control of FES
14:20-14:35   Alim Louis Benabid
(Joseph Fourier University)
  Brain Machine Interface: The Clinatec Brain Driven Exoskeleton for Tetraplegic Patients
14:35-15:00   Discussion    
15:00-15:15   Break     
15:15-16:45 Plenary Session II Neural Prostheses: Lessons Learned and Future Directions    
    Dr. Alim Louis Benabid (Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble);
Dr. P. Hunter Peckham (Case Western Reserve University);
Dr. Richard Stein (University of Alberta)
Dr. Jay Ingram  
19:00-23:00   Conference Banquet and Presentation of the Bohdan V. Olijnyk Study Participant Award  


Wednesday, September 12, 2012
TIME   Activity Chairs/Moderators  
08:15-09:00 Keynote IV Dr. Daniel Bader (Southampton Univeristy and Eindhoven University of Technology) Dr. Chester Ho  
    Title: Pressure Ulcers and the Role of Neuroprostheses    
09:05-10:30 Session D4-I Pressure Ulcers and the Role of Neuroprostheses  Dr. Daniel Bader  
Dr. Chester Ho
 
09:05-09:10   Introduction to Session    
09:10-09:30   Amit Gefen
(Tel Aviv University)
  Pressure ulcers top-to-bottom: How can these wounds onset at a cell scale?
09:25-09:45   Cees Oomens (Eindhoven University of Technology)   The role of deformation, ischemia and reperfusion in pressure related deep tissue injury
09:45-09:55   Leandro Solis (University of Alberta)   Daily use of Intermittent Electrical Stimulation for the Prevention of Deep Tissue Injury
09:55-10:05   Alisa Ahmetovic (University of Alberta)   Clinical implementation of an intermittent electrical stimulation system, the Smart-e-Pants, for prevention of deep tissue injury in long term care, rehabilitation hospital, and acute neuro-rehabilitation settings
10:05-10:30   Discussion    
10:30-10:45   Break     
10:45-12:15 Session D4-II Secondary Complications, Exercise and Denervated Muscles  Dr. Arthur Prochazka  
Dr. David Collins
10:45-10:50   Introduction to Session  
10:45-10:50   Glen Davis (University of Sydney)   Virtual Reality Hybrid Cycling versus Outdoor Hybrid Cycling in Individuals with SCI: A Pilot Study
11:05-11:20   Euan McCaughey - Vodovnik Award Nominee (University of Glasgow  and Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit)
  Abdominal Functional Electrical Stimulation to assist ventilator weaning in tetraplegia
11:20-11:35   Liping Qi
(University of Alberta)
  Pushrim kinetics and coordination patterns of shoulder muscles during surface and incline wheelchair propulsion
11:35-11:50   Ryan Downey - Vodovnik Award Nominee (Politecnico di Milano and University of Florida)   Asynchronous Stimulation with an Electrode Array Reduces Muscle Fatigue during FES Cycling
11:50-12:15   Discussion    
12:15-13:30   Lunch     
13:30-15:00 Session D4-III Somatosensory Prostheses  Dr. Douglas Weber   
Dr. Sean Dukelow
 
13:30-13:35   Introduction to Session    
13:35-13:50   James Hokanson (University of Pittsburgh)   Channel Interactions during Synchronous Microstimulation with High Density Microelectrode Arrays
13:50-14:05   Kevin Otto
(Purdue University)
  Towards optimal parametric identification for electrical microstimulation of the auditory cortex
14:05-14:20   Lee Miller (Northwestern University)   Stimulus detection threshold and the interaction of multiple electrodes
14:20-14:35   Zelma Kiss (University of Calgary)   Use of thalamic stimulation to restore somatosensory perception
14:35-15:00   Discussion    
15:00-15:15   Break     
15:15-16:45 Plenary Session III The Ethics of Neural Prostheses Dr. Shaun Gray  
15:15-16:45   Ulf Gorman
(Lund University);
Dr. Philip Troyk (Illinois Institute of Technology)
   
16:45-17:00   Awards Ceremony and Closing Remarks     
17:00-17:30   IFESS Annual General Meeting