Monday, June 30, 2008

First System for Treatment of Vertigo Wins Approval

Filed under: Neurology

According to Portland Business Journal, Vesticon Corp. out of Portland, Oregon just received FDA approval for the first device to diagnose and help treat people experiencing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Here's, in simple terms, how the system works. The Epley Omniax system uses glasses equipped with infrared sensors that track the eye of a patient sitting in a free-rotating chair that performs "canalith repositioning maneuvers". The problem is that in many people loose particles, called otoconia, are found in the semi-circular canals of the inner ear. The movement of otoconia disrupts normal sensing of one's orientation, and the eye involuntarily responds, via reflex called nystagmus, to otoconia's rumbling around the canals. By monitoring the eye one can detect the particles' presence, and also shake them out of the sensitive areas by rotating the patient.

From the product page:

Quantified procedures with recording and report for Dx / Tx for all six canals and all conditions related to BPPV.

Repeatable, comparable, precise maneuvers for definitive patient management.

Facilitates best practices and standardization.

Facilitates detection and treatment to optimize outcomes for even the most difficult cases.

Company video describing the workings of the Omniax system:

More at Portland Business Journal...

Product page: Epley Omniax ...

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