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To Each His Energy Over the years, scientists and philosophers have employed a number of models to explain the functioning of the human body and its various components and systems. At various times, human physiology was understood in terms of mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, digital, or system software models. This always seemed to give rise to the chicken-egg problem of epistemology: does our st…

New Developments Spotlight Optical Stimulation Tools , senior technical editor Artificial electrical stimulation of the nervous system is one of the foundations of neurotechnology. However, the use of electrical currents to stimulate the nervous system presents several challenges. It is difficult to achieve selective stimulation of only the targeted neurons without activating neighboring neurons. Further, electrochemical reactions at the electrode-tissue interface may lead to electrode dissolution or tissue damage.

Editors Pick: Top Three Presentations at Workshop , senior technical editor Direct Brain Interface for Control of a Virtual Robot Dawn Taylor and Andy Schwartz, Arizona State University The motor cortex contains neurons that are activated before and during arm movements, and, as a population, these neurons code the intended direction of arm movement. Over the past 10 years, several groups have reco…

NeuroMetrix Occupies Peripheral Position in Neurodiagnostics Market While several companies competing in the neurodiagnostics market have chosen to concentrate on the central nervous system, manufacturing devices such as electroencephalography or magentoencephalography systems, Waltham, MA-based NeuroMetrix Inc. has set its sights on the peripheral nervous system. The company, founded in 1996 by Shai N.

Neurotech Vendors Seek to Exploit Cortical Plasticity One of the most significant trends in treating neurological diseases and disorders in recent years has been the increasing acceptance of the phenomenon of cortical plasticity. This refers to the inherent capability of the central nervous system to modify existing connections, making them either stronger or weaker, and to form new connections. Co…

Venture Capital Outlook Bright for Neurotech Devices Neurotechnology entrepreneurs and product developers looking for venture capital have a relatively rosy outlook in the years ahead, despite the current economic conditions and the somewhat sparse history of funding for start-ups in this field, according to interviews Neurotech Reports conducted with two dozen VC firms. Our research, conducted sub…

Computational Neuro Engineering a Key Subject at University of Florida The Computational NeuroEngineering Laboratory at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL has quickly garnered a reputation as a leading research institution in neural engineering. In large part, this is because of the stature of the laboratory’s founder and director, Jose Principe. Principe is well know to many researchers in the field because he serves as editor-in-chief of the journal IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

Non-Profit Organization Seeks to Promote Neural Prosthesis Awareness A newly formed non-profit organization is seeking to increase the public and media awareness of neural prostheses, functional electrical stimulation, and related technologies that stand to benefit individuals with neurological disorders. The Society To Increase Mobility (STIM) was formed last month in Florida. Jennifer French, one…

Quallion Brings Power to Neurostimulation Industry While many manufacturers in the neurotechnology industry have devoted their engineering talents to building devices that activate neural tissue, Quallion, LLC has a more fundamental mission. The Sylmar, CA company builds power sources that activate implanted stimulators. The firm’s product line includes a number of compact lightweight batteries that are used in a variety of applications.

Neurotech Leaders Forum Panelists and Attendees Discuss Future of Industry About 65 executives, venture capital professionals, and researchers participated in the 2003 Neurotech Leaders Forum in San Francisco on September 9, 2003. The full-day event, presented sponsorship , featured a keynote address , the executive director of the Society to Increase Mobility (STIM) and a pioneering user of an implanted standing/transfer system.