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New Polymers Promise to Enhance Neural Interfaces Several new polymeric biomaterials are promising to enhance the functionality of existing neural interfaces, which are largely based on metals. At least two commercial firms have begun offering electrodes and other components of neural stimulation and recording systems that have mechanical, electrical, and functional properties not found in metal electrodes.

Delayed Investment It’s not yet clear to what extent the economic crisis that hit our economy in the last month will affect new industries such as the neurotechnology industry. But it’s likely that startup firms and established players alike will see some drying up of capital sources, at least for the near term. Though many economists consider healthcare to be one of the sectors that will be relati…

Texcel Medical Delivers Stimulation Components for Neurotech Firms ial director In the development of new implantable medical devices, Texcel LLC of East Longmeadow, MA has an impressive record for innovative design and manufacturing solutions. With a strong core competency in neurostimulation and neuromodulation, Texcel offers medical device companies confidential contract services, including prod…

Neural Engineers Convene in Cleveland for Neural Interfaces Conference More than 500 neural engineering professionals, clinicians, and students attended the 2008 Neural Interfaces Conference in Cleveland, OH earlier this month. The conference is a spinoff of the NIH Neural Prosthesis Workshop, which in later years was combined with the DBS Consortium meeting. After skipping a year in 2007, the meet…

Entrepreneurs Confront VC Firms’ Geographic Bias by David E. Griffith, senior editor Financing a start-up company in any field is never easy, but securing the funds to launch a neurotechnology or medical device firm is a truly herculean task. Entrepreneurs face a long road of research and development, prototyping, and testing with little guarantee of a pay off. All of that research, testing, and staffing is expensive, way beyond the means of most individuals.

The BION microstimulator, made , Inc. Advanced Bionics’ Clarion cochlear implant features a behind-the-ear processor Spinal cord stimulation systems, such as this RF-powered device from Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, are used in the treatment of chronic pain Worldwide sales of cochlear implants are expected to reach US$900 million by 2005. (Source: Neurotech Reports) The Freehand implanted hand grasp system for quadriplegics was developed at the Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation Center.

Previously Published Company Profiles Company Article Issue 4-D Neuroimaging 4-D Neuroimaging Looks for Magnetic Sense in Neurodiagnostics Market Sep01 Cochlear Ltd. Cochlear Ltd. Lends its Ear to Neural Prosthesis Market Oct01 Medtronic Inc. Medtronic Casts Long Shadow as Neurotechnology Market Gathers a Crowd Nov01 Advanced Bionics Advanced Bionics Looks to Technology for Edge in Neurostimulation…

Electrodes Go Live In the seven years we’ve been publishing Neurotech Business Report, we’ve seen our fair share of technological innovations and promising scientific developments. But rarely have we seen the type of far-reaching and transformative progress in neurotechnology represented , conducting polymer electrodes. As we report in our article on page 1 of this issue, research in this area has moved out of the laboratory and into the commercial marketplace.

BCIs Go for the Scalp The brain-computer interface has been one of the most significant and attention-drawing developments in the young history of the neurotechnology industry. Although there are still a relatively small number of users who have been implanted with a BCI, the field has spawned at least two commercial endeavors—Cyberkinetics Inc. and Neural Signals—and generated an enormous amount of press coverage.

Getting the Picture The growing use of functional magnetic resonance imaging in brain research has caused some researchers and commercial firms to overstate the capabilities of the technology, as NBR senior technical editor Warren Grill points out in his article on page 1 of this issue. In some respects, it’s not surprising that this imaging technique has garnered such a following. The colorful and enticing images produced compelling presentations at conferences and to the media.