Publications by Outman Akouissi

Direct laser writing of electronically conductive microstructures within soft hydrogel substrates

Stéphanie Lacour, Esther Amstad, Outman Akouissi, Lorenzo Lucherini

Hydrogels have emerged as promising materials for bioelectronic interfaces due to their tissue-like properties and high-water content. However, conventional hydrogels often suffer from poor electrical conductivity and mechanical stability, limiting their p ...

2025

Report A sensory-motor hand prosthesis with integrated thermal feedback

Solaiman Shokur, Silvestro Micera, Jonathan Louis Muheim, Outman Akouissi

Background: Recently, we reported the presence of phantom thermal sensations in amputees: thermal stimulation of specific spots on the residual arm elicited thermal sensations in their missing hands. Here, we exploit phantom thermal sensations via a standa ...

Cell Press2024

Remapping Wetness Perception in Upper Limb Amputees

Solaiman Shokur, Silvestro Micera, Jonathan Louis Muheim, Outman Akouissi

Recent research has made remarkable strides in restoring sensory feedback for prosthetic users, including tactile, proprioceptive, and thermal feedback. Herein, a sensory modality that has been largely neglected is explored: the ability to perceive wetness ...

Wiley2024

Modeling, fabrication and validation of 3D neural interfaces for peripheral nerves and brain organoids

Outman Akouissi

This thesis presents an extensive exploration of neuroelectronic interfaces, focusing on microfabrication, in silico modeling, and their applications in designing and fabricating devices for neural interfacing. The research encompasses both peripheral nerv ...

EPFL2024

Thermal sensing device and sensory feedback system and method using such thermal sensing device

Solaiman Shokur, Silvestro Micera, Jonathan Louis Muheim, Outman Akouissi, Francesco Iberite

The present invention concerns a thermal sensing device (1) and a sensory feedback system and method using such thermal sensing device, comprising at least one film (19) of electrically insulating polymer defining a global surface of the thermal sensing de ...

2024

The e-Flower: A hydrogel-actuated 3D MEA for brain reserved; exclusive licensee American spheroid electrophysiology Association for the Advancement of

Stéphanie Lacour, Ivan Furfaro, Outman Akouissi

Traditional microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are limited to measuring electrophysiological activity in two dimen- Attribution creative commons sions, failing to capture the complexity of three-dimensional (3D) tissues such as neural organoids and spheroids. no ...

2024

A Multi-channel Stimulator with an Active Electrode Array Implant for Vagal-cardiac Neuromodulation Studies

Outman Akouissi

BackgroundImplantable vagus nerve stimulation is a promising approach for restoring autonomic cardiovascular functions after heart transplantation. For successful treatment a system should have multiple electrodes to deliver precise stimulation and complex ...

SPRINGERNATURE2024

Hydrogels and conductive hydrogels for implantable bioelectronics

Stéphanie Lacour, Emilio Fernández Lavado, Outman Akouissi, Massimo Mariello, Kutay Sagdic

Hydrogels are a class of soft materials, which display unique biomimetic properties to biological tissues. Their mechanical properties, high water content, and porosity resemble that of extracellular matrix so that cell growth and proliferation can be reli ...

2023

Revealing the complexity of ultra-soft hydrogel re-swelling inside the brain

Stéphanie Lacour, Michael Shur, John Martin Kolinski, Outman Akouissi, Olivier Didier Christian Rizzo

The brain is an ultra-soft viscoelastic matrix. Sub-kPa hydrogels match the brain's mechanical properties but are challenging to manipulate in an implantable format. We propose a simple fabrication and processing sequence, consisting of de-hydration, patte ...

2023

Restoration of natural thermal sensation in upper-limb amputees

Solaiman Shokur, Simon Gallo, Giulio Rognini, Silvestro Micera, Jonathan Louis Muheim, Outman Akouissi

The use of hands for gathering rich sensory information is essential for proper interaction with the environment; therefore, the restoration of sensation is critical for reestablishing the sense of embodiment in hand amputees. Here, we show that a noninvas ...

American Association for the Advancement of Science2023

A finite element model of the mechanical interactions between peripheral nerves and intrafascicular implants

Stéphanie Lacour, Silvestro Micera, Outman Akouissi

Objective. Intrafascicular peripheral nerve implants are key components in the development of bidirectional neuroprostheses such as touch-enabled bionic limbs for amputees. However, the durability of such interfaces is hindered by the immune response follo ...

IOP Publishing Ltd2022

Compliant peripheral nerve interfaces

Stéphanie Lacour, Silvestro Micera, Outman Akouissi, Valentina Marie Paggi

Peripheral nerve interfaces (PNIs) record and/or modulate neural activity of nerves, which are responsible for conducting sensory-motor information to and from the central nervous system, and for regulating the activity of inner organs. PNIs are used both ...

IOP PUBLISHING LTD2021

Epineural optogenetic activation of nociceptors initiates and amplifies inflammation

Frédéric Pierre Gérald Michoud, Stéphanie Lacour, Katia Galan, Ivan Furfaro, Outman Akouissi

Activation of nociceptor sensory neurons by noxious stimuli both triggers pain and increases capillary permeability and blood flow to produce neurogenic inflammation(1,2), but whether nociceptors also interact with the immune system remains poorly understo ...

NATURE RESEARCH2020