Principal Investigator

Tyler, Dustin, Ph.D.

"My research interests are in the areas of neural interfacing and neural prostheses. The neural interface is the interface between man and machine. It presents significant challenges in the development of advanced devices to restore function in neurologically impaired patients. My research activities in neural interfacing include:

1. Peripheral nerve electrodes for upper and lower extremity neural prostheses.
2. Development of cortical electrodes, particularly examining novel materials and methods of insertion for maximal integration with cortical tissue.

My neural prostheses interests are in stimulation of the larynx. The larynx is an intricate and complicated organ responsible for many functions, ranging from protection of the airway to production of voice. My research activities include:

1. A neural prosthesis for prevention of aspiration in post-stroke patients.
2. Neural prostheses for production of voice.

My fundamental research tools include animal experimentation, clinical studies, histology and immuno-histochemistry and computer modeling and simulation."

Professional Affiliations

• Principal Investigator, Cleveland FES Center
• Research Scientist, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Cleveland Louis Stokes Medical Center

Publications (select):

• Broniatowski M, Grundfest-Broniatowski S, Tucker H, Green C, Tyler DJ: Artificial voice modulation in the canine by recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation: Electrophysiological confirmation of anatomical data. Combined Otolaryngological Spring Meeting (COSM), American Laryngological Association, 2006.
• Tyler DJ, Durand DM. Chronic response of the rat sciatic nerve to the flat interface nerve electrode, Ann Biomed Eng, 31(6):633-42, 2003.

Research Programs

• Evaluation of BION for Stroke Swallowing
• Development of FES for Stroke Swallowing
• Development of Cuff Electrodes
• Technology Development for OSA

Contact Information

Claudette Brown

216-368-2960

216-778-3811 - MetroHealth Medical Center

216-368-0319 - Case Western Reserve University

Emails: ccb8@case.edu, dxt23@case.edu