PhD defence Stan Catharinus Johannes van Boxel

Keywords: Artificial balance organ, Implant, Vestibular loss, Novel treatment

"The Vestibular Implant: From Electrophysiology to Fitting"

Patients with damaged balance organs often face debilitating challenges in daily life, ranging from physical instability and blurred vision during movement to cognitive difficulties. Currently, no standard treatment exists to fully restore the natural function of these organs. However, the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+) is pioneering a solution: the vestibular implant, or "artificial balance organ."

This doctoral thesis systematically investigated critical performance measures and optimization strategies for this innovative technology. By evaluating the outcomes of ten newly implanted patients, the research identified key steps necessary to refine the device’s functionality. The findings provide essential insights into how the implant interacts with the human body, ultimately aiming to bridge the gap between experimental research and the standard clinical care required to improve patients' quality of life.

Click here for the live stream.