Robotic Exoskeleton Market Ripe for Expansion
The market for robotic exoskeletons is poised for significant growth in the years ahead as new vendors enter the market and existing players gain funding and momentum. Exoskeletons are not new. In the 1960s, General Electric developed the first exoskeleton for military use called the Hardiman. It later proved to be impractical for its given purpose. In 2001, DARPA began phase I of the Exoskeletons…
Opening Ourselves Up
Neurotechnology researchers and entrepreneurs have been known to make many sacrifices in the pursuit of their goals. Far too many neural engineers have seen their personal fortunes dwindle or years of their productive lives vanish as they continued their relentless struggle to build a successful company or advance brain research. But perhaps no other neurotech investigator has risked as much as Phil Kennedy, founder of Neural Signals Inc.
Neurotech Reports Announces Winners of Gold Electrode Awards
Neurotech Reports, the publisher of this newsletter, announced the winners of the 2015 Gold Electrode Awards. The awards were presented at the 2015 Neurotech Leaders Forum in San Francisco on November 2. The Gold Electrode Award for Best New Product was presented to Nevro Corp. for its Senza SCS. The device, which uses high-frequency stimulation for parasthesia-free pain neuromodulation, was approved year.
Industry Veterans and Newcomers Take Part in 2015 Neurotech Leaders Forum
About 85 thought leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and policy makers gathered at the 15th Annual Neurotech Leaders Forum in San Francisco, November 2-3. This unique forum is a platform for lively discussions around the array of management, investment, and technical issues confronting the growing neurotechnology industry. The first day of the conference focused on reflection of the year past and discussion of where the industry is going.
King of the Hill
The bevy of positive clinical trial results reported at the 2015 NANS meeting earlier this month caps off one of the most successful years in the young history of the neurotechnology industry [see conference report p7]. The infusion of new technologies and new competitors stands to alter fundamentally the competitive face of the industry. Although new indications and new clinical specialties contin…
Keeping Neurotech Secure
Neurotechnology device manufacturers have an array of technical, regulatory, and marketing issues they must confront as they develop new stimulation and sensing products. Power management, biocompatibility, lead placement, and product safety are just a few examples that come to mind. But as we report in our article on page 1 of this issue, cybersecurity and privacy issues have joined the list of issues that vendors must confront before introducing a new product.
Neurotechnology Startups and Executives Head to San Francisco for 15th Annual Neurotech Leaders Forum
Executives from several promising startup and emerging neurotechnology firms will be presenting at the 15th annual Neurotech Leaders Forum, to be held in San Francisco November 2-3, 2015. The two-day management and investment conference features sessions devoted to new technologies such as deep-brain stimulation, noninvasive brain stimulation, brain-computer interfaces, neuro assessment systems, and neuroprosthetics.
Jennifer French Joins Neurotech Reports as Associate Publisher
Neurotech Reports, the premier publication in the neurotechnology industry, announced the addition of Jennifer French as associate publisher and senior editor. French is the founder and executive director of Neurotech Network and has a breadth of experience in the neurotechnology industry. “As a neurotech user, writer, and advocate, Jennifer French has contributed greatly to the field,” said James Cavuoto, editor and publisher of Neurotech Reports.
Sharing the Pain
It did not come as a major surprise when we learned that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons issued a statement earlier this month on “opioid use, misuse, and abuse in orthopaedic practice.” Orthopaedic surgeons are the third highest prescribers of opioids in our healthcare system. AAOS joins the American Academy of Neurology and other medical groups in calling attention to the serious epi…
Memory Disorder Findings Suggest New Therapies
The potential market for neurotech therapies to treat age-related memory and cognitive disorders took a hit recently with the report of less than encouraging results from Functional Neuromodulation’s ADvance study of DBS of the fornix for Alzheimer’s disease [NBR Jul15 p1]. But two new studies that shed light on possible neurological mechanisms for memory and cognitive decline offer hope for new therapeutic approaches.