Georgios Kouvas

EQUIMED investigates sex and gender inequalities in implantable medical devices. Through interviews and multidisciplinary research, it aims to improve equity in medical technology.

Despite technological advancements, medical devices do not function the same way for men and women, with women experiencing more adverse effects. Implantable devices are particularly affected by sex and gender biases. EQUIMED studies this issue in Switzerland, the UK, and Germany by analyzing data, interviewing experts and patients, and evaluating ethical policies. Its goal is to make these devices safer and more effective for everyone.

EQUIMED seeks to understand and reduce these inequalities by exploring why women and gender minorities face higher risks and what factors contribute to these disparities. Its research will support the development of fairer solutions for implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers and neural implants, while also setting new ethical standards in medical technology.

By addressing biases in research, design, and regulation, EQUIMED aims to improve the safety of medical devices for all. The project will provide evidence-based recommendations to help policymakers, manufacturers, and healthcare professionals create more inclusive technologies. Collaboration between regulators, industry, and healthcare providers is essential to ensuring safer and fairer medical devices for everyone.

In the evolving field of Bionic and Robotic Devices, Neurotechnology, particularly Neural Implants, stands as an increasingly influential sector. However, as Neural Implant technology advances, a significant challenge has emerged with manufacturers abandoning projects, leading to a phenomenon known as "abandonware." This leaves individuals who rely on these implants in vulnerable positions and raises serious ethical, clinical, and legal concerns.

The NeuroEthos project aims to comprehensively examine the implications of neural implant abandonware. It seeks to understand the reasons for such abandonments and their impacts on individuals and society, focusing on ethical, technical, clinical, and policy dimensions.

The project employs a multifaceted approach, starting with mapping and analyzing past Neurotech failures, with the goal to gather a comprehensive Body of Evidence. This is followed by conducting interviews with patients and key opinion leaders to gather firsthand experiences. The project then moves to a normative-empirical analysis to refine recommendations and adapt ethical frameworks. Finally, it focuses on dissemination and awareness raising to share findings and recommendations with the NeuroTech industry, scientific community, and patient groups.

NeuroEthos is the first project to address neural implant abandonware from a scientific and empirical perspective. The project aims to benefit patients by analyzing the individual impact of abandonware and revising clinical trial and consent processes. It also aims to raise awareness at the societal and healthcare levels and propose actionable societal recommendations. This initiative is not only urgent but also a moral imperative, aiming to safeguard individual well-being and societal integrity in the face of rapidly advancing Neurotechnology as a frontier in Bionic and Robotic Devices.