Contract Management Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Federal Building, Room 901, 7550 Wisconsin Avenue, MSC 9190, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9190

A -- MICROSTIMULATION OF THE LUMBOSACRAL SPINAL CORD -- CHRONIC STIMULATION SOL RFP No. NIH-NINDS-98-03 DUE 020998 POC Contact Point, Laurie Leonard, 301/496-1813, Contracting Officer, Kirkland L. Davis, 301/496-9203 WEB: click here after 12/9/97 to download a copy of the RFP, http://www.ninds.nih.gov/cmb. E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via e-mail, ll44s@nih.gov. The Neural Prosthesis Program (NPP) of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, supports the development of aids for the neurologically handicapped. These aids, known an neural prostheses, replace or supplement neurological function by directly interfacing with the nervous system. One means of accomplishing this is by microstimulation with microelectrodes implanted directly into neural tissue. Animal and human studies have shown the potential value of microstimulation with respect to increased stimulus selectivity as compared to larger electrodes placed on the surface of neural tissue. Efforts have been initiated by the NPP to explore the possibility of chronic microstimulation of the spinal cord. If successful, such a technique could be part of a prosthesis to restore genito-urinary, bowel, and other motor functions to victims of spinal cord injury. Before microstimulation of the spinal cord can be evaluated in humans, a suitable chronic stimulating microelectrode must be developed and its safety and effectiveness demonstrated in animals. Contract supported research over the past five years has demonstrated that it is possible to insert, stimulate and maintain discrete wire microelectrodes in the sacral spinal cord on a chronic basis without undue tissue damage. However, the present design of the microelectrode/lead wire system causes excessive mechanical damage during movement of the spinal cord within the spinal canal and must be improved. The current work has not completed the establishment of safe ranges of stimulation parameters, nor has it investigated the use of thin film, integrated circuit microelectrodes, both of which are requested in this competitive renewal. This research project will develop a method of chronic microstimulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord and evaluate its effects on neural and surrounding tissue in non-human animals. Personnel with established expertise in neurohistopathology, electrophysiology and in microelectrode design and fabrication are needed. It is anticipated that one award will be made for a period of three years in September 1998. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP). THE SOLICITATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY ONLY. It will be available at this website (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/cmb) 15 or more calendar days after the issuance of this synopsis. OFFERORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ROUTINELY CHECKING THIS WEBSITE FOR ANY POSSIBLE SOLICITATION AMENDMENTS THAT MAY BE ISSUED. NO INDIVIDUAL NOTIFICATION OF ANY AMENDMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. Refer to numbered Note 26. (0323)

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