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Team Project Name 6.Patent Application: We are in the process of drafting a U.S.
patent application to protect our technological innovations,
Combining closed-loop transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve which will help to ensure the uniqueness and commercial
stimulation and focal transcranial direct current stimulation as value of our research findings.
an adjuvant treatment for acute and subacute strokes Key Words
Research Project Acute Stroke, Subacute Stroke, Transcutaneous Auricular

This neuroscience project is centered on combining two Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Focal Transcranial Direct Current
innovative electrical stimulation techniques: closed-loop Stimulation, Autonomic Nervous System Modulation,
transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ctaVNS) Rehabilitation, Feedback Control, National Cheng Kung
and focal transcranial direct current stimulation (ftDCS), University, National Cheng Kung University Hospital
to treat acute and subacute strokes innovatively. ctaVNS Global Cooperation
activates the parasympathetic nervous system, balancing
the heightened sympathetic state during the acute phase 1. Technology Development and Optimization: Collaborate
and enhancing neural plasticity in the subacute phase. with international experts and institutions in the fields of
Meanwhile, ftDCS uses spatial filtering technology to limit neural modulation technology, biomedical engineering,
the area of electrical stimulation, reducing brain injury in the or medical device design to jointly develop and optimize
acute phase and strengthening local neural plasticity. the Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation
(ctaVNS) and Focal Transcranial Direct Current
Stimulation (ftDCS) technologies.
In the first year of the project, our focus has been on the 2. Clinical Trial Expansion: Partner with international medical
development and clinical validation of the closed-loop institutions to conduct broader multi-center clinical trials,
auricular vagus nerve stimulator. Our achievements to date enhancing the validity and universality of the data.
include: 3. Data Analysis and Sharing: Work with international data
1.Technology Development and Innovation: We have science teams for in-depth analysis of collected clinical
successfully developed the ear vagus nerve circuit data. Share data and research findings to promote
and related software, which are key components for knowledge sharing and technological progress globally.
realizing the ctaVNS technology. Our system is capable 4. Standard Setting and Regulation Development: Participate
of dynamically adjusting stimulation intensity based on in international standardization organizations to jointly
the patient's physiological responses, representing a establish standards for medical devices and treatment
significant innovation in the field of neural modulation. methodologies.
2.Prototype Design: Our team is currently working on the 5. Academic Exchange and Joint Publication: Cooperate with
design of the prototype, ensuring that the device is not international academic institutions for exchanges and joint
only functionally advanced but also meets high standards publication of research results, increasing the international
in user experience. impact of the research.
3.Animal Experiment Validation: We have conducted 7. Technology Transfer and Commercialization: Find
international partners to explore possibilities for
experiments on animal models to verify that our treatment technology transfer and commercialization, expanding the
method can significantly improve autonomic nervous market reach of the technology.
function, blood pressure control, motor recovery, and 8. Professional Training and Education: Collaborate with
behavioral performance post-stroke. international educational institutions to initiate professional
4.Human Clinical Trials: We are currently conducting human training and educational programs, nurturing future
clinical trials to further prove the effectiveness and safety experts in neuroscience.
of our method, which is a crucial step towards clinical
application. Project Web Page
5.Preparation for Commercialization: The team has
completed a competitive product analysis and is actively
engaged in regulatory pathway research and patent
investigation, preparing to transform our research results
into marketable products.

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