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