News

Like-Minded Innovators We’re constantly amazed at the large number of new and innovative technologies we come across in the course of publishing this newsletter. This month is no exception, as proved on the oscillating field stimulator developed at Purdue University and recent advances in optical stimulation. Both these approaches to affecting the nervous system are radical departures from the products and technologies currently in use.

Brain Stimulators Move Toward Closed Loop Function In a twofold effort to improve the performance of implanted neuro­stimulation devices such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems and also reduce the trauma of the implantation process, several neural engineering researchers and commercial vendors are looking at closed-loop stimulation strategies. The goal here is to provide feedback signals that…

Neurotech Leaders Forum Attendees Discuss “Next Cardio” Market Staff Report Attendees at the 2005 Neurotech Leaders Forum in San Francisco heard from a number of entrepreneurs, researchers, and financial professionals in the neurotechnology field October 20-21, many of whom compared the growth of the neuro device market to that of the cardiac device industry. Total attendance at the two-day event was 78.

Neurotechnology CEOs to Present at 2005 Neurotech Leaders Forum CEOs and founders of several early-stage neurotechnology firms will make presentations during an entrepreneur panel to take place at the fifth annual Neurotech Leaders Forum in San Francisco October 20-21. These include Mark Carney, CEO of Andara Life Science Inc. in Indianapolis, which is commercializing an oscillating field stimulator device that regenerates nerve tissue in people paralyzed .

Neurotech Reports Editors Select Winners of 2004 Gold Electrode Awards Neurotech Reports, the publisher of this newsletter, has announced the recipients of the 2004 Gold Electrode Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations within the neurotechnology field based on their contribution to the growth and development of the industry. Readers of Neurotech Business Report were given an opportunity to make nominations and the selections were made Neurotech Reports.

The Year in Review As years go, 2004 was better in many respects than the three that preceded it. From a financial standpoint, the biggest news was undoubtedly Boston Scientific Corp.’s purchase of Advanced Bionics [NBR Jun04 p1], a deal that could be worth $2 billion or more. This valuation has profoundly affected the venture capital community’s perception of the neurotechnology industry [see article, p1].

Novel Neurotech Approach Uses Sensory Stimulation , senior technical editor and James Cavuoto, editor While many first generation neurostimulation devices have endeavored to activate motor fibers in order to restore functions lost as a result of neurological diseases and disorders, a new class of devices is targeting sensory fibers in an effort to treat sensory dysfunction and eventually restore lost motor function as well.

Going Deeper with DBS Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been one of the most successful examples of implanted neurotechnology devices to reach the market. But as we report in this issue, the first generation of devices currently in use just scratches the surface in terms of efficacy and applications. Succeeding generations of DBS systems will need a higher degree of placement accuracy, which is leading to new hardware, software, and imaging systems used in neurosurgery [see Warren Grill’s article, p1].

Second Sight Enters R&D Agreement with Energy Dept. for Artificial Retina Second Sight Medical Products Inc., the Sylmar, CA developer of visual prostheses, announced it has entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the U.S., Department of Energy’s Artificial Retina Project. The agreement brings together Second Sight’s work in implantable retinal stimulators with research conducted at five national laboratories and three universities.

Spreading the Energy As it has in previous years, the 2004 Neurotech Leaders Forum, held in San Francisco Oct 4-5, offered a valuable opportunity for many of the technical, financial, and management leaders in this new industry to meet in one place. The event allowed participants to discuss issues of specific relevance to neurotechnology without the worry of being overshadowed biotechnology, medical devices, and life sciences industries.