2008

Advensys LLC

Advensys LLC. is an early stage startup developing adaptive neuromorphic systems for advancing human mobility. Founded in early 2004, the company's mission is to commercialize and integrate the latest research in neuro-biology inspired engineering control systems with advances in robotic biomimetic actuators and composite material orthosis and prosthesis. Advensys has assembled a dynamic team of researchers and engineers with expertise in many disciplines including neuromorphic engineering, microelectromechanical systems, rehabilitation engineering, robotic systems, neural control systems, motor assessment in individuals with disabilities, and the health care market.




Biotectix, LLC is an innovator in developing materials that improve the energy efficiency, safety, biocompatibility, and function of electrical biomedical devices. Biotectix is a privately held, venture-backed start-up company founded in 2007. Our proprietary platform technology was developed at the University of Michigan and is based on electrically conductive, bioactive polymers and hydrogels for the device-tissue interface. Biotectix has a multi-disciplinary team that combines expertise in life sciences, engineering, and business development to provide the medical device industry with materials for biomedical devices for cardiac, neural, and diagnostic applications. Biotectix has developed prototypes and successfully performed pre-clinical in vivo tests with our materials on numerous device platforms including neurostimulation and recording devices, cochlear implants, and cardiac rhythm management devices. In addition, Biotectix materials have passed biocompatibility tests according to ISO 10993 standards. Biotectix partners with medical device companies to develop and implement customized materials that dramatically improve the performance of their devices. Our partnerships take the form of co-development, licensing, and contract manufacturing.



Biowave Corp. is a percutaneous neuromodulation pain therapy company whose major goal is to help physicians and surgeons manage their patients' pain and reduce or eliminate the use of opiates, NSAIDs, and their associated side effects. Biowave devices deliver a therapeutic electrical signal into deep tissue in the body blocking the transmission of pain. Biowave has designed and developed three pain therapy medical device systems to reduce pain and improve function: Deepwave® is a percutaneous neuromodulation pain therapy system used by physicians to break the pain cycle with four to six treatments; Homewave® is a non-invasive neuromodulation pain therapy system prescribed for home use by physicians for their patients to maintain their comfort level following successful Deepwave therapy in clinics or hospitals; and Sportswave® is a non-invasive neuromodulation pain therapy system used in professional and college sports to reduce pain, improve function and accelerate rehabilitation.

Invibio Inc. is the market leader in providing PEEK-based biomaterial solutions to medical device manufacturers around the world. The company's powerful array of value-added services provide customers with comprehensive solutions that include: dependable, traceable product supply; technical, developmental, processing, and regulatory support services; and knowledgeable customer service support to help ensure your product’s success.


2007



Columbia Scientific
Columbia Scientific is a commercialization firm specializing in new interventions for the Neuro-rehabilitation marketplace. Columbia Scientific is dedicated to introducing new diagnostic and treatment devices for rehabilitation healthcare professionals. Currently, Columbia Scientific provides information, access to training and certification, as well as products and supplies for these "change of practice" interventions.

Intelect Medical, Inc.
Intelect Medical focuses on the development and commercialization of novel neurostimulation systems for improving the recovery of brain injury patients. The development of our Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) system leverages the clinical and research expertise of the Center for Neurological Restoration at the Cleveland Clinic and the Laboratory for Cognitive Neuromodulation at Weill Cornell Medical College.


Electrical Geodesics, Inc.
Founded in 1992, Electrical Geodesics Inc. has developed a new generation of high-resolution EEG measurement and analysis systems for use in medicine, psychology, and neuroscience research. EGI's 128-channel system, based on patented Geodesic Sensor Net technology, has made dense sensor array recording practical and inexpensive. The firm's 256-, 128-, and 64-channel systems are now in use in research laboratories in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, in projects ranging from infant language comprehension to EEG pathology in dementia.


Synapse Biomedical Inc.
Synapse Biomedical Inc. (SBI) is established with the mission to develop, manufacture, market, and support life-changing minimally invasive neurostimulation devices used in the diagnosis and treatment of persons with neurological impairment. Founded in September 2002 to support the ongoing clinical study of the DPS System for Chronic Respiratory Insufficiency at University Hospitals of Cleveland , SBI has licensed the core patents from Case Western Reserve University and is comprised of investigators from University Hospitals, MetroHealth Medical Center, and Case Western Reserve University. The current percutaneous technology has been successful in spinal cord patients for over 50 cumulative patient years and demonstrated clinical promise in the pilot series of ALS patients. The longest implanted patient has used the device for full-time respiratory support for over six years. SBI's product portfolio is focused on neurostimulation devices for minimally invasive surgical interventions and respiratory assist.

2006

Medtrode Inc. is a medical device company developing a portfolio of next generation neurostimulation therapies that enable site-specific delivery of electrical stimulation used to treat neurological and other disorders. At the core of the delivery system is a novel, patented multi-functional DBS electrode (MCE) that is easier and safer to implant yet offers unprecedented therapy configuration. Matched with a true multichannel implantable pulse generator (IPG) under development, the total system is expected to be the only device on the market that will empower clinicians to record and reconfigure the electrical field, post-implantation. The reduced size of our MCE design and the ability to simultaneously record and stimulate with one device is anticipated to also permit additional therapies in DBS and other neurostimulation areas that are unachievable with current devices. In addition to our unique MCE technology, Medtrode is developing a new implantation approach with the objective to greatly streamline the surgical procedure for neurosurgeons.




Neural Signals Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and is a brain-computer interfacing company. It was the first to perform a long-term human implant 10 years ago and the first to show control of computer programs directly from the brain. It is a personal communication company. It sells Medicare approved, proprietary non-invasive communication devices through its subsidiary Emerge Medical www.emergemedical.com . The parent company is involved in restoring conversational speech to those who are locked-in—alert and intelligent but unable to move or speak. The company is presently working with a 23-year old male with a brainstem stroke who is now able to produce seven short words with reasonable accuracy. Neural Signals uses neural net software to decode the neural firing patterns recorded from his speech area with their patented Neurotrophic Electrode implanted in December 2004. This work is funded by the NIDCD of the NIH. This speech restoration neural prosthetic is unique to Neural Signals Inc and secured by patents.




Afferent Corp., founded, in 2000 by Jason D. Harry, Ph.D., is commercializing a breakthrough neurotherapy technology emerging from research at Boston University. Afferent's experienced management team has advanced the technology through an aggressive product development program. The company's products will be used to treat sensory dysfunction resulting from disease and injury. Afferent's technology dramatically increases the flow of sensory information traveling from muscles, joints, and skin to the body's control centers. The company's first products are targeted at restoring brain and motor function following stroke. By directly boosting sensory neural traffic from the extremities, Afferent's products will drive functional improvements that are unattainable using traditional therapies.


Computer-based cognitive training/brain fitness is a new and growing field, driven by recent major scientific findings, the first programs with clear clinical data and the emergence of wide public awareness of the need for “brain exercise.” SharpBrains brings to market computer-based, proven, best-of-breed cognitive neuroscience applications to present a full “brain gym.” The programs are developed by research institutions and/or affiliated companies worldwide.




Sage Medical is developing a versatile endovascular technology that addresses diseases specific to the aortic arch with a collective $1 billion market: 1) The catastrophic morbidity/mortality related to acute aortic dissections, and 2) The embolic burden and ischemic stroke associated with aortic plaque. Earlier this year the company completed a Series A round of financing that will provide for the execution of pre-clinical work on both projects.

2005

Northstar Neuroscience, Inc. is a medical device company founded by an experienced management team committed to developing innovative medical technologies that restore function and quality of life for people suffering from neurological diseases and disorders. The company's technology platforms address neurological impairment and are based on an innovative dimension of the new and growing field of neurotechnology; the application of electrical therapies to treat diseases and disorders that affect the nervous system. The first platform involves investigational technologies that stimulate the cortex of the brain in an effort to promote the restoration of function for patients who have suffered a stroke. Recovery of function from stroke is associated with a series of well-documented neuroplastic changes in the motor cortex. Such changes allow uninjured areas of the cortex to assume some of the functional capabilities that were previously associated with areas damaged by stroke. These changes in the brain are thought to be related to an expansion of the neural network involved in control of the initiation and production of movement. This hypothesis is supported by both animal and clinical studies, which demonstrate a causal relationship between expansion of cortical motor function output and recovery. The therapy involves the implantation of an investigational device for the delivery of electrical stimulation to the area of the brain involved in recovery of function. This electrical stimulation is delivered using electrical parameters intended to facilitate the expansion of the neural network controlling limb function.

Restorative Therapies, Inc. was founded in response to the pioneering research of Dr. John McDonald.  His basic science research suggests that repetitive neural activity stimulates the central nervous system to become more functional and to promote nerve cell growth.  This activity based process (patent pending) is known as Restorative Therapy. Increasing activity levels can help to improve overall health, cardiovascular fitness and blood circulation, range of motion, and flexibility. It can also raise energy levels, improve balance, reduce spasticity, decrease muscle atrophy, and assist with the performance of activities of daily living. RTI designs and supplies Restorative Therapy medical devices to help people with a neurological impairment achieve their full recovery potential.

Andara Life Science Inc. is an Indianapolis-based biotechnology company that is
developing and commercializing a platform of promising therapeutic devices and drugs
for the treatment of central nervous system injury and disease.

GentCorp is a power source development company founded by Mr. Wilson Greatbatch to explore and overcome the technical limits of current implantable battery power technology. We develop and manufacture novel power source solutions to meet the expanding clinical needs of the implantable medical device industry.





Neuronetrix aims to diagnose neurological disorders during the earliest stages of the disease and before irreversible damage has occurred.  Often, this will be prior to the onset of noticeable symptoms. These disorders include those which affect young children such as dyslexia and autism as well as disorders of adulthood such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or diabetic cognitive impairment. An early diagnosis with the COGNISION™ System will give patients and clinicians the best opportunity for effective intervention.





The mission of NeuroNexus Technologies (N2T) is to become the leading supplier of implantable microscale probe systems for establishing chemical and electrical interfaces to the nervous system. N2T's proven multi-channel microelectrode technologies are the core of neural probe systems directed at providing cutting-edge solutions for treating neurological disorders and diseases, as well as pushing the envelope in the neuroscience research and drug discovery markets. N2T is focused on 'making the connection' to the brain.

2004

Enpath Medical is one of a very few companies in the world that develops and manufactures implantable stimulation leads, lead delivery systems, and lead accessories for cardiac rhythm management (CRM), neuromodulation, and hearing restoration applications. Enpath manufactures its own proprietary implantable leads, as well as serving as a contract product development and manufacturing company for OEM suppliers. Enpath Medical has been supplying implantable pacemaker leads and adapters to the CRM market since 1989 and holds a number of patents in the myocardial pacing lead segment. The firm has been successfully partnering in the development and manufacture of implantable stimulation leads for OEM suppliers in the fields of neuromodulation and hearing restoration since the mid-1990s.



Advanced Brain Monitoring, Inc. is a privately owned corporation that was founded in January 1997 with a vision of creating low cost, easy-to-use, portable systems to monitor and interpret physiological signals. Since its inception, Advanced Brain Monitoring has developed patented data acquisition technology with automated analysis software to measure the brain's electrical activity (EEG), oxygen levels in the blood, and cardiac activity. Advanced Brain Monitoring's technologies will facilitate the development of a family of reasonably priced products and services to diagnose disease, detect drowsiness, assess neurocognitive function, and evaluate pharmaceuticals. The company's software will provide real-time or off-line identification of alertness/drowsiness and transmission of reports over the Internet. Advanced Brain Monitoring has been awarded over $7 million from the National Institute of Health's Small Business Innovative Research Program to complete the development of its technologies. The company's products are still under development and not available for marketing and distribution within the United States for applications requiring FDA clearance. Advanced Brain Monitoring is preparing submissions for review by the FDA.



Texcel Medical Systems, LLC is a privately held medical device company founded in 1987 with a vision of supporting the commercialization of implantable medical devices; including pulse generators (IPGs) for neuromodulation and cardiac rhythm management, hearing restoration devices, and cardiac assist pumps. In its earliest incarnation, Texcel assisted companies like Medtronic, CPI (Guidant), and Pacesetter (St. Jude Medical) in developing and manufacturing their implantable pulse generator assembly equipment. In later years, Texcel began to manufacture pulse generators and other implantable devices for its medical device industry customers. Now, more than 15 implantable device companies rely on Texcel for services ranging from early stage product development to the manufacture of sterile labeled implantable devices. Texcel's customers include many of the rising stars in the neuromodulation field and the company is well positioned to grow with the industry. Texcel operates an FDA registered and ISO certified development and manufacturing facility in western Massachusetts.

2003

Afferent Corp., founded in 2000 by Jason D. Harry, Ph.D., is commercializing a breakthrough neurotherapy technology emerging from research at Boston University. Afferent's experienced management team has advanced the technology through an aggressive product development program. The company's products will be used to treat sensory dysfunction resulting from disease and injury. Afferent's technology dramatically increases the flow of sensory information traveling from muscles, joints, and skin to the body's control centers. The company's first products are targeted at restoring brain and motor function following stroke. By directly boosting sensory neural traffic from the extremities, Afferent's products will drive functional improvements that are unattainable using traditional therapies.

Advanced Cochlear Systems, Inc. (ACS) is committed to developing state-of-the-art technology for the hearing impaired population. Since our inception in 1995, we have developed advanced digital signal processors, faster data communication across the skin, more efficient power transfer strategies to implanted devices, and new high density electrode technologies. In recognition of our technological advances, ACS has received significant research support from the National Institutes of Health. Our scientists and engineers have been involved in research on the neurophysiology and biophysics of cochlear implants for over 25 years. Their accomplishments include over 100 published papers and 28 patents. They have experience in digital signal processing, optoelectronics, microcircuit design and fabrication, and biomedical packaging. Founders of the company include former faculty in electrical and bioengineering at the University of Washington.



Cyberkinetics, Inc. is a leader in the rapidly emerging field of brain computer interfaces. Cyberkinetics’ technology allows for the creation of direct, reliable, and bi-directional interfaces between the brain and nervous system and a computer. This technology platform may allow breakthrough applications such as the translation of thought into direct computer control. Additional applications include the monitoring and treatment of psychiatric diseases including epilepsy or depression. Cyberkinetics’ lead product development effort is the Braingate™ Neural Interface Device. Based on years of pre-clinical development at Brown University, the Braingate™ is intended to provide severely disabled patients with a permanent, direct, and reliable interface to a personal computer. In late 2002, Cyberkinetics merged with a leading manufacturer of neural recording, stimulation, and signal processing equipment for neuroscience research. Through the merger, Cyberkinetics gained a world-class engineering team, manufacturing facilities and key intellectual property. The company continues to provide the BIONIC® line of neural recording arrays and data acquisition systems to preclinical researchers. The company's intellectual property estate features key exclusive licenses from Brown, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Emory University and University of Utah.

Cyclotec AMT is dedicated to advancing TENS technology to new levels of convenience, effectiveness and ease of use through a series of revolutionary new products. The company offers a new generation of wireless TENS devices for relief and/or control of acute and chronic pain. These advanced new products are FDA-approved and miniaturized, with simple pushbuttons to operate six modes, customize cycling, and control intensity. These lightweight units attach directly to the electrodes, eliminating the need for lead wires, and avoiding the possibility of entanglement or confusion.

RoboMedica, Inc. was founded in September 2001 by Alan Olsen, founder and former President of Danek Medical, a pioneer in the spinal fixation market, which later became the foundation for Sofamor Danek Group. Mr. Olsen was one of the first entrepreneurs to recognize the unique treatment opportunities for patients with spinal disease, injury, and trauma. The mission of RoboMedica is to develop new technologies and robotic rehabilitation systems to allow individuals with paralysis to walk again. The company's first products are based on robotic technology developed at UCLA and UC Irvine, which are licensed by the company. There is an animal laboratory robotic product for use by neuroscience researchers and a human body weight support system for a variety of patient populations including those with neural impairments, orthopedic injuries, and degenerative diseases. RoboMedica has received a $1.9 million research and development grant from the Advanced Technology Program of the Department of Commerce to build and test its human robotic step-training device for re-training individuals with neurological impairments to walk. The company also has raised start-up capital from angel investors.


Intelli-Scents

Intelli-Scents is a San Francisco, CA-based company that has developed a patented technology for a flat, reusable, packet that delivers an air-based sample of any fragrance, scent, or aroma when it is squeezed. Since it is no larger than a credit card and less than a half-inch thick, it fits easily into a pocket or purse. Intelli-Scents packets last for over a month and will not affect anything else they come in contact with. There are a wide range of commercial uses for the packets in personal care, household, and food product marketing and promotion. Significant applications also exist in the areas of education and behavior since scent is inexorably tied to memory due to its connection with the limbic system in the brain. Intelli-Scents is currently working with Guide Dogs For The Blind in San Rafael, CA, testing the packet's ability to modify dog behavior using dog appeasing pheromone and a portion of Intell-Scents' profits will be donated to Guide Dogs For The Blind.

2002

Epic Biosonics Inc.
Epic Biosonics Inc. is a privately held neurotechnology company formed by high-technology entrepreneur Peter Berrang and ENT surgeon Alan Lupin in Victoria, B.C. in 1997. The company was originally formed with a goal to develop the first totally implantable cochlear implant, a device designed to restore hearing to profoundly deaf individuals. In the course of developing a totally implantable cochlear implant, and by approaching the engineering and design challenges in a unique way, the company has developed a proprietary total implant technology platform, which, it believes, is unique and goes far beyond existing technology.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Systems
NESS develops and manufactures unique innovative systems for rehabilitation of impairments resulting from central nervous system disorders. NESS has committed itself to bringing modern technology to rehabilitation therapies to make available optimal treatment for maximizing physical function, and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. The medical and engineering specialists at NESS are constantly studying the special and unmet needs of patients undergoing rehabilitation, and are dedicated to finding advanced solutions for these needs.

Walnut Technologies Inc.

Walnut Technologies, Inc.
Walnut Technologies is developing a new approach for the treatment of ischemic stroke and peripheral vascular disease, through the application of proprietary ultrasound technology. This unique approach has the potential to dramatically improve patient care and deliver substantial savings to hospitals and third-party payers who are currently spending billions on in-hospital and post-discharge care. Recent estimates in the USA alone are 730,000 new or recurrent cases of stroke per year, with mortality of 160,000 per year. Of the 3 million Americans living with the effects of stroke, one third are severely impaired. The incidence of stroke in Europe and Japan is similar to the United States. The Walnut approach will save brain tissue and improve thrombolytic therapy for millions of patients suffering from vascular diseases.

Walnut is developing an easy to use, non-invasive device that exposes patients to ultrasound while receiving drug therapy, typically in an Emergency Room. The adjunctive treatment with ultrasound enhances the action of the drug, and is expected to more rapidly re-establish cerebral blood flow, reducing brain damage caused by the stroke. Clinical evaluations are planned in Germany at the Mannheim Clinic and the University of Heidelberg.



Neuronetics
Neuronetics mission is to develop cost effective therapies for underserved central nervous system markets. The vision is to leverage the unique non-invasive and focal nature of pulsed magnetic fields to positively impact abnormal neurobiology. Future target markets may include other neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, OCD and mania as well as neurologic disorders such as epilepsy. The Innovation Factory founded Neuronetics after acquiring the exclusive licensing rights to a second generation high field pulsed magnetic technology. The technology has been incorporated into a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) device. With TMS, non-invasive stimulation of cortical neurons is possible.

Neuronetics will focus its efforts on therapies for disorders of the central nervous system. The first target for the new company will be a treatment for depression. The company is in the process of designing and implementing a multi-center, placebo controlled trial for FDA clearance for this application.