Loren Data Corp.

'

 
 

COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF NOVEMBER 21,1997 PSA#1977

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 -- MAPPING SOL RFP No. NIH-NINDS-98-02 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 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. Current contract research has provided information about the locations of afferent and efferent neuronsas well as interneurons controlling urinary function in the cat spinal cord using both normal and spinalized animals. Limited mapping has also been performed on the neurons that control erection in the male cat. The current contract research is also studying the possibility of controlling, by spinal cord microstimulation, the somatic musculature of individuals paralyzed as the result of spinal cord injuries. As an initial feasibility study, the locations of the neurons controlling the flexors and extensors of the knee are being mapped. Microstimulation of these mapped areas has demonstrated activation of both knee flexors and extensors. It is now necessary to provide more detailed maps, and to determine quantitatively, the degree of motor control of paralyzed muscles that can be produced by microstimulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord. This research will investigate the feasibility of microstimulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord as a method of controlling genito-urinary, bowel, and skeletal motor functions. Personnel with established expertise in neuroanatomical tracing, electrophysiology, and genito-urinary physiology 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)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0010 19971121\A-0010.SOL)


A - Research and Development Index Page