Tyler, Dustin, PhD

With over 30 years of experience in neural engineering, Dr. Dustin J. Tyler is recognized as a leading expert in peripheral nerve interface development and the clinical translation of neural prosthesis systems for individuals with limb loss, spinal cord injury, stroke, and other musculoskeletal disorders.

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. Dr. Tyler’s technologies have reached clinical application with more than a decade of continuous implantation in limb loss and spinal cord injury subjects, and have been licensed to commercial companies.

Dr. Tyler has directed or been involved with over $35M in research funding from NIH, DoD, DARPA, and the VA, and is currently leading $10M in funding from the Office of Naval Research. He is the co-founder of Afference, Inc., a company focused on bringing neurohaptics to commercial success, and the founder and Executive Director of the Human Fusions Institute at Case Western Reserve University.

RESEARCH PROGRAMS

• Artificial sensation and somatosensory restoration for individuals with limb loss via peripheral nerve stimulation
• Peripheral nerve interface development (Flat Interface Nerve Electrode — FINE; CFINE)
• Clinical translation of neural prosthesis systems for limb loss and spinal cord injury
• Cortical interface development and biomimetic nanocomposite materials
• Dysphagia management via recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation

MAJOR PROJECTS & FUNDING

• iSens™ System — decade-long development and first-in-human implementation of bidirectional, Bluetooth-connected prosthesis control system; IDE approved; ongoing randomized controlled trial
• Restoration of somatosensory sensation in limb loss — PI; multi-contact extraneural electrodes providing stable, spatially localized sensation for 4+ years; featured on cover of Science Translational Medicine
• Office of Naval Research, leading $10M research program (2023–present)
• ReHAB Study, co-investigator on BCI-FES system restoring arm and hand function in tetraplegia

HONORS & RECOGNITION

• 2023 Gold Medal Award, Case Alumni Association
• 2022 Fellow, National Academy of Inventors
• 2017 Fellow, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineers
• 2016 Kent H. Smith II Professorship, Case Western Reserve University
• 2015 Elmer Lincoln Lindseth Associate Professorship, Case Western Reserve University
• 2014 Neurotechnology Research of the Year, Neurotech Leaders Forum
• 2012 Carl F. Whittke Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Honoree, Case Western Reserve University
• 2009 Carl F. Whittke Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Honoree, Case Western Reserve University
• 2007 Nord Distinguished Professor, Case Western Reserve University