Rehabilitative biomicrosystems

A comprehensive definition of Rehabilitative Bio-microsystems is presented from scientific, technological, clinical and end-user perspectives. Rehabilitative Biomicrosystems are those implanted or surface-mounted, biocompatible micro- or nano-devices, techniques or concepts that 1) provide enhanced functional capability to individuals with disability, or 2) enable scientists and engineers to measure how various systems of the body work in an intact situation, and how these systems miss-act (or fail to) when impaired. Design goals, achievable through rigorous in vitro, in vivo and clinical research, advance the understanding of, and produce Rehabilitative Biomicrosystems that are reliable, robust, safe, functionally transparent and cosmetically acceptable. Educational programs at Louisiana Tech University are described that integrate Rehabilitation, Neural, and Biomicrosystems Engineering to form the field of Rehabilitative Biomicrosystems.