Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Myoguide EMG Amplifier/Stimulator from Intronix Tech
This week at Medica 2009 in Düsseldorf, a Canadian firm Intronix Technologies Corp is unveiling a new electrophysiological amplifier designed to identify where to place neuromodulator injections for muscle disorders, pain management, and cosmetic applications. The Myoguide is essentially a single-channel EMG amplifier with stimulator that sports a signal display with analysis and EMG audio, so a clinician can locate areas of hyperactive muscle fibers for treatment.
Published features of the product:
Ability to see and hear EMG signals, display real time analyzed EMG, and stimulation location capability. There are numerous advantages to embracing Myoguide for EMG guidance: Conveniently integrated into one handheld package Helps identify involved muscles i.e. pre-injection physiopathological evaluation, or pre-intervention evaluation. (Either by EMG or stimulation location) pre-injection evaluation in cases where the site may be surrounded by essential nerves and blood vessels pre-injection evaluation can lead to reduced drug dose and volume, thereby reducing the incidence of drug resistance, and limiting drug diffusion into adjacent areas. Provides confirmation of treatment effects
Press release: ESTABLISHED CANADIAN COMPANY INTRODUCES HANDHELD NEEDLE-EMG GUIDED INJECTION SYSTEM... (.pdf)
Product page: Intronix Model 8008 Myoguide System ...
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Friday, November 6, 2009
IdentEvent Seizure Detection Software Gets US OK
Optima Neuroscience (Alachua, FL) has announced that FDA has approved the company's software package that detect seizures from long-term EEG recordings. The development of the IdentEvent™ algorithm began at the University of Florida, and the software has now shown an exceptional sensitivity and specificity to detect seizure activity.
From the press release:
Optima’s IdentEvent 510(k) submission was supported by the pivotal clinical trial of its groundbreaking seizure detection technology... In a side by side comparison with the current market-leading product, Optima’s clinical performance drastically surpassed the competition by generating 85% less false detections (2 per day v. 13+ per day), while offering comparable sensitivity.“IdentEvent’s ability to accurately identify seizures will make it the most clinically-useful EEG review software on the market.” reports Dr. J. Chris Sackellares, Chief Scientific Officer. “Our technology’s drastic reduction in false detections will allow the neurologist to focus only on the areas of a recording that are of clinical interest. Given the limited number of subspecialists trained to interpret EEGs, IdentEvent will allow for more efficient and cost-effective diagnosis and management of patients suffering from seizure disorders.”
Product page: IdentEvent ...
Press release: IdentEvent Receives FDA Marketing Clearance...
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Interview with Philip Low About Roche and NeuroVigil Partnership
Yesterday Philip Low of NeuroVigil spoke at TEDMED and demonstrated the amazing iBrain technology his firm developed to monitor and interpret EEG signals. Today NeuroVigil announced a partnership with Roche that would provide the iBrain for use in outpatient clinical trials. We were lucky to be able to grab a few minutes of Philip's time immediately after the announcement to explain what this news means to our audience:
Press release: NeuroVigil and Roche Launch Personalized Neurodiagnostics Initiative for Enabling Preventive Treatment of CNS Disorders ...
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Thursday, October 22, 2009
GaitAid Augmented Reality System Might Help with Walking, Gait
Walking can be difficult for patients who have conditions that interrupt or diminish feedback from the somatosensory system. Timing of movement can, therefore, be severely impaired in people with Parkinson's, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. An Israeli scientist used his knowledge from the research in helicopter navigation software to develop a system that provides audio and visual feedback cues that seem to help in improving gait and walking.
Here's Professor Yoram Baram from Technion University talking about the GaitAid:
Product page: GaitAid...
Press release: New Device for Parkinson's Disease Improves Walking and Quality of Life...
(hat tip: Technology Review)
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Image Recognition Technology to Expand Abilities of Microsoft's Digital Camera Device
Microsoft has partnered with Oxford Metrics Group (Oxford, UK), a company specializing in computer vision applications, to further develop Microsoft's ViconRevue (formerly SenseCam) digital camera-like gadget. The device continuously snaps a picture every 30 seconds, hence it might be worn around the neck by patients with memory problems (i.e. Alzheimer's, s/p hypoxic/ischemic encephalopathy). The device is thought to help people refresh themselves on the activities of the past day. With Oxford Metrics Group's software built-in, the ViconRevue should be able to perform some pretty nifty tricks by recognizing objects and faces in its field of view.
Press release: IP LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH MICROSOFT...
Flashback: Digital Cameras for Dementia Patients
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Thursday, September 24, 2009
Neuropace Implantable Epilepsy Device Showing Positive Signs in Initial Clinical Study
A clinical trial is underway for a neurostimulator implant that monitors brain activity and then sends an electrical jolt designed to prevent an epileptic seizure. Neuropace has developed the RNS system in Silicon Valley, and is undergoing clinical trials with more than 200 patients across the US. It is being reported preliminarily that RNS implant is effective in treating seizures through the mechanism of responsive stimulation. In this protocol regions of the brain demonstrate erratic electrical signals before a seizure. Through counter electrical stimulation, the seizure can be prevented or minimized.
The RNS is placed under the skull and the electrodes are connected to relevant regions in the brain in order to provide stimulation. The device is controlled wirelessly through an adapter on a laptop which allows a clinician to view the patient's electrocorticographic (ECoG) activity in real-time and the ability to upload the patient's ECoGs that have been stored in the RNS neurostimulator.
The purported design advantage with the RNS system versus other anti-epileptic systems currently employed is that the RNS system does not constantly electrically stimulate the brain, but rather monitors specific regions in the brain for an uptick in electrical activity and only shocks when there is indication of an upcoming seizure. This means the RNS is monitoring more and shocking less.
Singularity Hub : Implant that Shocks Brain to Treat Epilepsy in Clinical Trials...
Company Profile : NeuroPace...
Flashbacks : NeuroPace: Maybe First Since Jesus to Prevent and Treat Epilepsy; Neural Modeling Aims to Explain Seizures
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Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Brio DBS System Wins EU OK for Parkinson's; First Person Implanted with the Device
St. Jude Medical has received European approval to market the world's smallest implantable deep brain stimulator to help control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The Brio device weighs 29 grams (~1 ounce) and has a 10 millimeter profile. The battery is rated to last for up to 10 years with recharges, so the first patient, a 67 year old German man, recently implanted with the device won't need a replacement for up to a decade, maybe until 2019.
From the announcement:
The Brio DBS system delivers mild electrical pulses to specific targets in the brain, stimulating the structures that are involved in motor control. The system consists of a neurostimulator – a surgically implanted battery-operated device that generates the electrical pulses – and leads which carry the pulses to the brain to influence the irregular nerve signals responsible for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.In addition to its small size, the Brio neurostimulator has the longest battery life of any rechargeable DBS device currently on the market with a 10-year battery longevity approval. For patients this means the device should provide sustainable therapy and maintain a reasonable recharge interval for at least 10 years of use at high settings. The device’s battery longevity may also maximize the time between device replacement procedures.
The Brio neurostimulator also features:
Constant current circuitry that automatically adjusts to deliver consistent therapy over time.
A dual header that accommodates two leads, allowing for bilateral stimulation from one device.
High power capability, making it an appropriate choice for patients who require high energy settings to control their symptoms.
A rechargeable battery that can be easily charged through a portable, wireless charging system, allowing patients the freedom to recharge comfortably while doing other activities. Additionally, St. Jude Medical has recently received CE Mark approval for the Guardian™ Burr Hole Cover System, a DBS system component that allows physicians to efficiently secure the electrical leads. The Guardian System is compatible with all St. Jude Medical DBS leads.
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Sleep Monitoring System to Take Home
European research center IMEC has developed a sleep staging system that can record EEG signals in the comfort of one's home. The prototype device has already been successfully tested at the University Hospital Center (CHU) in Charleroi, André Vésale Hospital (Belgium).
The system consists of a head band with three sensor nodes measuring 2 EEG-channels (electroencephalogram) to monitor the brain activity, 2 EOG-channels (electro-oculogram) to monitor the eye activity and 1 EMG-channel (electromyogram) to monitor the chin muscle activity. These 5 signals provide the required information for sleep staging according to the Rechtschaffen and Kales standard. The sensor nodes integrate IMEC's proprietary ultra-low power biopotential read-out ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) to amplify and filter the 5 different ExG signals. The measured ExG signals are wirelessly transmitted to the recording computer. No additional wires from the head to the body or from the head to the recording device are needed, making the system comfortable to wear. The system is optimized for low power resulting in 12 hours autonomy.The system has been validated in a controlled clinical environment and benchmarked with state-of-the-art ambulatory monitoring equipment. 12 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study, and were monitored for a complete night using the wireless and the reference systems set-up in parallel. At the end of the study, the signals were given to a sleep expert for blind scoring, leading to two hypnograms for each subject. From the hypnograms, sleep statistics such as percentage of sleep time in each stage were deducted, and compared for the two systems. Hypnograms were also compared directly for similarity. The analysis proved the potential of wireless sleep staging systems to replace the current monitoring systems.
Press release: Wireless sensor systems enable a better sleep...
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Thursday, August 27, 2009
System Helps Parkinson's Patients Adjust Talking Volume
A large percentage of patients with Parkinson's speak quieter and less clearly as the disease cycle progresses. Typically, speech therapy has been used to overcome this change by teaching people to remember to speak louder. Now researchers at Purdue University have created a device that uses our natural reflex to bring up the speaking volume in noisy environments in an attempt to help Parkinson's sufferers to adjust to everyday settings. Essentially, the system consists of an accelerometer, placed on the neck, that detects when the person is talking and an unobtrusive ear piece that then plays a sound similar to a restaurant full of people (minus the sound of forks, knives, and plates). Since this technology uses the unconscious response to a loud environment, it does not require an active involvement by the patient.
Six patients wore the portable system for eight weeks. Data collected showed the system effectively prompts Parkinson's patients to speak louder and more clearly."Their speech changes significantly," said Huber, who is working with Meghan Darling, a doctoral student in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. "There have been times where I have called patients and they've had the device on and I didn't really recognize them. And these are patients I've known for a long time. This is beneficial also because it trains them in their everyday environment - in their homes, with their spouses, in their churches, in their social groups."
Huber determined the system works by measuring how much louder patients talked while on the device and without the device after eight weeks of training.
The researchers also are interested in examining the physiological changes elicited by the device. Patients wear a mask and sensors in elastic bands placed around the rib cage to precisely recording respiratory, laryngeal and articulatory data.
"We know the lung volume, and we know the pressure and the airflow they generate during speech, which tells us not only whether they are talking louder but how they are talking louder," Huber said. "For example, maybe they are using solely the respiratory system to get louder, or maybe it's all about the larynx."
The researchers also will test how well the system works by having people who are not speech pathologists listen to the patients pronouncing words that could be easily confused with other words.
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Friday, August 14, 2009
Zelrix, A Migraine Patch, Is Moving Forward
Pharmaceutical company NuPathe Inc. out of Conshohocken, PA has just announced positive results from Phase III clinical trial of Zelrix™, a novel transdermal patch in clinical development for the treatment of acute migraines. Zelrix relies on the company's proprietary iontophoretic transdermal technology, called SmartRelief™, to continuously deliver sumatriptan. 
The big idea behind Zelrix, "a thin, disposable, single-use device in a self-contained system," is to give migraine sufferers a new therapeutic option with a proven medication, so they can stick on a patch and get medication fast and consistently, regardless of nausea, vomiting, or other gastric symptoms associated with migraine.
To learn more about the technology and the product, follow these links:
Press release: NuPathe Reports Positive Phase III Results for Zelrix, a Novel Transdermal Patch For Acute Migraine...
Product page: Zelrix...
Technology page: NuPathe Drug Delivery Platforms...
White paper: NP101: A Novel Formulation of Sumatriptan Succinate Utilizing SmartRelief™ Transdermal Technology (.pdf)
(hat tip: The Medical Quack)
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Migraines Be Gone: Sumatriptan Needle Free DosePro Injector Gets OK In US
Zogenix out of San Diego, California has received FDA approval for the single use DosePro™ device. The needle free system delivers sumatriptan, a drug often prescribed for migraines, through the skin for a faster effect than a tablet. Sumatriptan in a tablet form is best known under its IMITREX® brand name.
Sumatriptan DosePro (formerly known as Intraject® sumatriptan) utilizes Zogenix’s proprietary DosePro needle-free drug delivery system to subcutaneously administer sumatriptan for the treatment of migraine and cluster headache. Sumatriptan DosePro is a fast-acting therapy that patients can self administer in three easy steps. Based on Zogenix’s clinical bioequivalence studies, the company has concluded that sumatriptan DosePro is bioequivalent to injectable sumatriptan (IMITREX STATdose System®) when administered in the thigh or abdomen. Given the unique attributes of sumatriptan DosePro, Zogenix believes it has the potential to be used as a replacement for needle-based injectable forms of sumatriptan, as well as oral and nasal spray triptans.
Product page: DosePro...
Press release: Sumavel™ DosePro™ (sumatriptan injection) Approved by FDA for Acute Migraine and Cluster Headache...
Company video below the fold presenting the DosePro:
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Thursday, July 9, 2009
microECoG Electrodes Create New Possibilities to Study, Intervene in Brain Function
Neurosurgeons from the University of Utah have developed new tiny electrode arrays that do not penetrate the surface of the brain, potentially preventing many of the side effects common to modern high precision electrodes. Similar to electrocorticography ECoG arrays, the microECoG devices may be small enough for permanent placement under the skull.
From the University of Utah:
The researchers tested how well the microelectrodes could detect nerve signals from the brain that control arm movements. The two epilepsy patients sat up in their hospital beds and used one arm to move a wireless computer "mouse" over a high-quality electronic draftsman's tablet in front of them. The patients were told to reach their arm to one of two targets: one was forward to the left and the other was forward to the right.The patients' arm movements were recorded on the tablet and fed into a computer, which also analyzed the signals coming from the microelectrodes placed on the area of each patient's brain controlling arm and hand movement.
The study showed that the microECoG electrodes could be used to distinguish brain signals ordering the arm to reach to the right or left, based on differences such as the power or amplitude of the brain waves.
The microelectrodes were formed in grid-like arrays embedded in rubbery clear silicone. The arrays were over parts of the brain controlling one arm and hand.
The first patient received two identical arrays, each with 16 microelectrodes arranged in a four-by-four square. Individual electrodes were spaced 1 millimeter apart (about one-25th of an inch). Patient 1 had the ECoG and microECoG implants for a few weeks. The findings indicated the electrodes were so close that neighboring microelectrodes picked up the same signals.
So, months later, the second patient received one array containing about 30 electrodes, each 2 millimeters apart. This patient wore the electrode for several days.
Images: Top: These two images show two kinds of microelectrode arrays, known and microECoGs, that were placed on the brains of severe epilepsy patients. The patients already had parts of their skulls removed temporarily for placement of larger ECoG electrodes, which are used to locate and treat the brain area responsible for their seizures. These larger, metallic, button-like electrodes are numbered in both images. The left image also shows two microECoG arrays, each with 16 microelectrodes connected to microwires that pass through the orange and green tubes. Because the arrays are made of fine wires embedded in clear silicone, photo-editing software was used to draw in their outlines in both images. The right image shows one microECoG array with 32 individual microelectrodes, connected with microwires entering via a clear tube from the bottom of the image. The green wires are connected to the large, conventional ECoG electrodes. Side: Microwires emerging from the green and orange tubes connect to two arrays of 16 microelectrodes. Each array is embedded in a small mat of clear, rubbery silicone. (University of Utah)
Press release: Reading the Brain without Poking It...
Full article in Neurosurgical Focus: Human neocortical electrical activity recorded on nonpenetrating microwire arrays: applicability for neuroprostheses
(hat tip: Gizmag)
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
New Device Aims to Measure Hand Muscles Strength
A team of bioengineering students from Rice University developed a device to measure the strength of intrinsic hand muscles (thenar, hypothenar, interosseus and lumbrical muscles). The Peg Restrained Intrinsic Muscle Evaluator, or PRIME, was created to replace the common test where the patient pulls and pushes at the doctor's hands and fingers. The real goal is to quantify finger/muscle strength for a more accurate diagnosis for carpal tunnel syndrome evaluation and other disorders.
Rice University reports:
The device has three elements: a pegboard restraint, a force transducer enclosure and a PDA custom-programmed to capture measurements.In a five-minute test, a doctor uses pegs to isolate a patient's individual fingers. "You wouldn't think it works as well as it does, but once you are pegged in, you can't move anything but the finger we want you to," Miller said.
A loop is fitted around the finger, and when the patient moves it, the amount of force generated is measured. "PRIME gets the peak force," Xu said. "Then the doctor can create a patient-specific file with all your information, time-stamped, and record every single measurement." PRIME integrates with existing systems in a manner compliant with the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, better known as HIPAA, he said.
Xu hopes it will help hospitals and rehabilitation clinics compare the effectiveness of surgical interventions and diagnose neuromuscular degenerative diseases.
Press release: Rice University team's award-winning device could benefit treatment of hand injuries...
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Think Your Own Music Outloud
You know that tune you hum to yourself in your head? Or maybe that song that is stuck in your brain? Now, thanks to MRI researchers, you can play that for everyone around you. Dan Loyd and researchers at Trinity College have developed a media player for your brain.
Using MRI images to study active parts of the brain during various tasks or thoughts, pitches are asigned to different regions. These are then used to generate notes played at varying intensities to match the intensity of the active brain region.
While this may seem fun and whimsical, the motivation for this work is much more serious. Lloyd is comparing scans of volunteers with dementia and schizophrenia patients to gain insight into unlocking the mysteries of these conditions.
New Scientist : Eavesdropping on the music of the brain
Trinity College: Dan Lloyd
(hat tip to Gizmodo)
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Monday, July 6, 2009
Tongue Controller Looks Promising For Paralyzed
A year ago we wrote about a new tongue controller designed to give quadriplegics the ability to operate external devices like wheelchairs and computers. Now results from a clinical trial testing the capabilities of the interface for the severely handicapped have been presented at the annual meeting of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), and they show that the technology is intuitive and precise enough for patients to quickly become acquainted with it in a short period of time.
At the beginning of each trial, Ghovanloo and graduate students Xueliang Huo and Chih-wen Cheng attached a small magnet -- the size of a grain of rice -- to the participant’s tongue with tissue adhesive. Movement of this magnetic tracer was detected by an array of magnetic field sensors mounted on wireless headphones worn by the subject. The sensor output signals were wirelessly transmitted to a portable computer, which was carried on the wheelchair.The signals were processed to determine the relative motion of the magnet with respect to the array of sensors in real-time. This information was then used to control the movements of the cursor on a computer screen or to substitute for the joystick function in a powered wheelchair.
Ghovanloo chose the tongue to operate the system because unlike hands and feet, which are controlled by the brain through the spinal cord, the tongue is directly connected to the brain by a cranial nerve that generally escapes damage in severe spinal cord injuries or neuromuscular diseases.
Before using the Tongue Drive system, the subjects trained the computer to understand how they would like to move their tongues to indicate different commands. A unique set of specific tongue movements was tailored for each individual based on the user’s abilities, oral anatomy and personal preferences. For the first computer test, the user issued commands to move the computer mouse left and right. Using these commands, each subject played a computer game that required moving a paddle horizontally to prevent a ball from hitting the bottom of the screen.
After adding two more commands to their repertoire -- up and down -- the subjects were asked to move the mouse cursor through an on-screen maze as quickly and accurately as possible.
Then the researchers added two more commands -- single and double mouse clicks -- to provide the subject with complete mouse functionality. When a randomly selected symbol representing one of the six commands appeared on the computer screen, the subject was instructed to issue that command within a specified time period. Each subject completed 40 trials for each time period.
After the computer sessions, the subjects were ready for the wheelchair driving exercise. Using forward, backward, right, left and stop/neutral tongue commands, the subjects maneuvered a powered wheelchair through an obstacle course.
The obstacle course contained 10 turns and was longer than a professional basketball court. Throughout the course, the users had to perform navigation tasks such as making a U-turn, backing up and fine-tuning the direction of the wheelchair in a limited space. Subjects were asked to navigate through the course as fast as they could, while avoiding collisions.
Each subject operated the powered wheelchair using two different control strategies: discrete mode, which was designed for novice users, and continuous mode for more experienced users. In discrete mode, if the user issued the command to move forward and then wanted to turn right, the user would have to stop the wheelchair before issuing the command to turn right. The stop command was selected automatically when the tongue returned to its resting position, bringing the wheelchair to a standstill.“Discrete mode is a safety feature particularly for novice users, but it reduces the agility of the wheelchair movement,” explained Ghovanloo. “In continuous mode, however, the user is allowed to steer the powered wheelchair to the left or right as it is moving forward and backward, thus making it possible to follow a curve.”
Each subject completed the course at least twice using each strategy while the researchers recorded the navigation time and number of collisions. Using discrete control, the average speed for the five subjects was 5.2 meters per minute and the average number of collisions was 1.8. Using continuous control, the average speed was 7.7 meters per minute and the average number of collisions was 2.5.
Press release: Tongue Power: Clinical Trial Shows Quadriplegic Individuals Can Operate Powered Wheelchairs and Computers with Tongue Drive System...
Flashback: Tongue Controller Promises Better Device Interaction for Severely Disabled...
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Toyota Working on Thought Controlled Wheelchairs
Not to be outdone by Honda with their assisted walking device earlier this year, Toyota has announced that they are working on a wheelchair that can be navigated with brain waves. You think of the direction and the wheelchair goes in that direction.
Photo Credit: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / AFP
The interface control works such that a computer analyzes brain waves through electroencephalography electrodes while an individual thinks of a direction to move. The system then translates those wave patterns into a movement direction of the chair. Toyota reports that the delay between thought and movement can be as small as 125 milliseconds with an accuracy rating of 95%.
This technology is in the very beginning stages of development, but the hope is that this type of interface can be used for rehabilitation and technology development for patients with limited mobility. Toyota has shown a video of this system in operation, but has not given it to the pubic and has no definitive time table for commercial development.
RIKEN Press Release : Real-time control of wheelchairs with brain waves
Daily Mail : Toyota develops wheelchair that can be steered using brain waves
Flashback : The Future of Legs Is Here, Well, in Detroit
(hat tip: Jalopnik)
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Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Mind Reading to Help Locked In People Communicate
French scientists from the Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm) have developed EEG analysis software to allow "locked-in" patients that are severely paralyzed but whose minds are intact to communicate with the outside world. The system works in conjunction with a monitor that flashes letters and an EEG cap detects which letter you were looking at when it lit up.
Here's a BBC video showing the prototype in action:
More from BBC...
Press release: OpenViBE: The first French software programme enabling "action through thought" (.pdf)...
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Friday, June 19, 2009
Braingate Neural Interface Developing Into Wireless Version
The Braingate project has begun recruiting participants to assess the new wireless version of the brain-computer interface. Dubbed as Braingate2, the new system is meant to be completely implantable, receiving power and maintaining communications via a wireless connection. Power and control of the device is delivered via RF, while the signal from the brain interface comes back via an infrared laser shining through the skull.
More from Singularity Hub...
Medgadget's archives of Braingate coverage...
Link: Braingate2 project page...
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
Super Bright X-Rays Help Detect Alzheimer's Plaque Buildup
The buildup of amyloid beta (Aß) plaque in the brain is suspected to be a cause of Alzheimer's disease, yet detecting the presence of the substance is difficult with current imaging technology. This is a serious problem, as even testing how effective an experimental medication is is a diagnostic nightmare. A new technology, called diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI), that uses high intensity X-rays has been developed at Brookhaven National Laboratory that may help with the search for the cure.
From Brookhaven:
DEI, which makes use of extremely bright beams of x-rays available at synchrotron sources such as Brookhaven’s National Synchrotron Light Source, is used to visualize not only bone, but also soft tissue in a way that is not possible using standard x-rays. In contrast to conventional sources, synchrotron x-ray beams are thousands of times more intense and extremely concentrated into a narrow beam. The result is typically a lower x-ray dose with a higher image quality.In this study, researchers from Brookhaven and Stony Brook University used DEI in a high-resolution mode called micro-computed tomography to visualize individual plaques in a mouse-brain model of Alzheimer’s disease. The results not only revealed detailed images of the plaques, but also proved that DEI can be used on whole brains to visualize a wide range of anatomical structures without the use of a contrast agent.
The images are similar to those produced by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with the potential to even exceed MRI pictures in resolution, Connor said. “The contrast and resolution we achieved in comparison to other types of imaging really is amazing,” he said. “When DEI is used, everything just lights up.”
The radiation dose used for this study is too high to safely image individual A• [sic] plaques in humans – the ultimate goal – but the results provide researchers with promising clues.
Brookhaven press release: X-Rays for Early Alzheimer's Disease Detection...
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» US Trial of Libra Deep Brain Stimulation System for Parkinson's Is Moving Along (June 9, 2009)
» EEG Used to Analyze Brain Recovery in Post Stroke Patients (May 27, 2009)
» $100 Brain Wave Powered Game from Mattel (May 26, 2009)
» Medtronic's Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Approved for Parkinson's and Essential Tremor (May 22, 2009)
» Mind-Controlled Wheelchair Runs on Thought (May 1, 2009)
» Magnetic Brain Stimulation for Cocaine Addiction, Multiple Sclerosis? (April 27, 2009)
» Twittering With Thought (April 24, 2009)
» Gait Monitor Watches for Decline in Walking as Folks Age (April 17, 2009)
» Noninvasive Muscle Assesment Device Under Development (April 10, 2009)
» Libra DBS for Parkinson's Going Live in Europe (March 30, 2009)
» Electric Muscle Stimulation May Help Stroke Victims Recover (February 11, 2009)
» 3-D Ultrasound to Help Diagnose Stroke Type (February 9, 2009)
» Smart Chair Turns The Paralyzed Into Robowarriors (February 6, 2009)
» Start Treating Your Stuttering with iPhone (February 2, 2009)
» Radio Controlled Insect Demonstrates Cyborg Flight (February 2, 2009)
» Nexstim's Navigated Transcranial Brain Stimulation to Undergo Clinical Trial (January 27, 2009)
» Engineered Viruses May Serve as Neurosurgeons of the Future (January 23, 2009)
» Research Into Smart Therapeutic Exoskeleton (January 14, 2009)
» EyeSeeCam: See What The Surgeon Sees (January 5, 2009)
» New Treatment Tested for Post Combat Tinnitus (December 16, 2008)
» SmartHand: Thought Controlled Prosthesis That Patients Feel (December 15, 2008)
» Medtronic to Seek FDA Approval of Brain Stimulation Device for Epilepsy (December 15, 2008)
» fMRI Extracts Images From The Brain (December 12, 2008)
» Restless Legs 2.0 (December 11, 2008)
» Predicting The Upcoming Electrical Brain Storm (December 8, 2008)
» Exercise Machine Helps Rebuild Brain Function (December 5, 2008)
» Somatom Definition Flash: All Around Dual Nature CT (November 24, 2008)
» Thinking Aloud...Interfacing With Speech (November 24, 2008)
» Disabilities Can't Keep Commited Gamer from His PS3 (November 21, 2008)
» New Scanning Methods Detect Brain Trauma (November 21, 2008)
» Developing the Next Generation of DBS Devices (November 20, 2008)
» CoreTx for Stroke Rehab (November 13, 2008)
» Video: Brain Computer Interface Works as Virtual Hands on a Virtual Keyboard (November 3, 2008)
» Philips Software Assists in Diagnosis of Dementia (October 28, 2008)
» PainShield Gets FDA OK (October 24, 2008)
» Neuronetics TMS Depression Therapy Gets FDA OK (October 9, 2008)
» New Research to Open Neuro Frontiers (October 3, 2008)
» Smart Phones Make for Smart Alarm Clocks (September 30, 2008)
» Neural Electrodes Improved with Carbon Nanotube Coating (September 23, 2008)
» The Robot And Its Biological Brain (August 14, 2008)
» Color Changing Crystals for Detecting Brain Trauma (August 11, 2008)
» Neuro-Eye Therapy, a Vision Training Program, Improves Sight of Stroke Victims (August 7, 2008)
» New Imaging Technique Used to Visualize Brains (August 7, 2008)
» NeuroPace: Maybe First Since Jesus to Prevent and Treat Epilepsy (August 4, 2008)
» New Device May Warn of Oncoming Seizures (July 28, 2008)
» Eye Activated Device Controller Goes Mobile (July 25, 2008)
» Copying Nature for More Convincing Prosthesis (July 25, 2008)
» Video of ReWalk Exoskeleton System (July 21, 2008)
» Mouse Spinal Cord Gene Map Goes Online (July 21, 2008)
» Epocrates Rx Now on iPhone (July 14, 2008)
» Watching The Eyes for Signs of Autism (July 10, 2008)
» Wearable Muscle Tension Sensors Know More Than What You Feel (July 2, 2008)
» Electric Brain Stimulation May Finally Lead to Uberman (July 1, 2008)
» First System for Treatment of Vertigo Wins Approval (June 30, 2008)
» Battling Migraines From the Inside and Out (June 27, 2008)
» Smart Brain-Computer Interface Learns with the Brain (June 27, 2008)
» UCSF and YouTube Partner Up for Education on Dementia (June 17, 2008)
» No Paralysis in Second Life (June 17, 2008)
» Your Brain's Forecast: Stormy (June 10, 2008)
» Feel That Rhythm! (June 9, 2008)
» New Luke Arm Video (June 2, 2008)
» I, For One, Welcome Our Robot-Arm Controlling Monkey Overlords (May 29, 2008)
» In the Works: MEMS Brain-Computer Interface (May 28, 2008)
» The Third Install in the US of Aquilion ONE CT from Toshiba (May 21, 2008)
» Demand Is High for Brilliance iCT, a 256-Slice CT from Philips (May 19, 2008)
» Experiencing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (May 19, 2008)
» MEMENTO Memory LifeBook Concept (May 12, 2008)
» SAM Technology: Testing Attention and Memory in the Brain (April 30, 2008)
» Mind Reading for Robotic Limb Control (April 23, 2008)
» Battery-free, Wireless Encephalogram (April 14, 2008)
» NeuroFlow Cath Promises to Save Ischemic Brains (April 7, 2008)
» SPOC Pain Locator Receives FDA Approval (April 1, 2008)
» ReWalk Exoskeleton (March 31, 2008)
» Medgadgets for Walking Rehabilitation, Peace in Mideast (March 24, 2008)
» Exmocare Emotion Detection Technology: Capitalizing on How R U (March 14, 2008)
» A Voiceless Way to Speak (March 14, 2008)
» Digital Audio Used for Treatment of Tinnitus (March 5, 2008)
» University of Bremen's Brain-Computer Interface (March 5, 2008)
» Positive Results Reported for Deep TMS H System For Depression (February 19, 2008)
» Seeing Thoughts (February 1, 2008)
» BrainScope for HeadTrauma (February 1, 2008)
» The Neuromarketers (January 29, 2008)
» Brain Stimulation Device for Stroke Victims Fails Clinical Trial (January 25, 2008)
» Neural Circuit Switchboard (January 25, 2008)
» OTOPod Wireless Diagnostic Audiometer (January 22, 2008)
» Portable Device for Quick, Cheap Alzheimer's Screening (January 17, 2008)
» Laser Light for Stroke Treatment (January 15, 2008)
» Penumbra System Approved in US for Post Stroke Revascularization (January 15, 2008)
» High-tech Doll to Assist Brain Injury Research (January 15, 2008)
» Biomechanical Analysis Interface from Organic Motion (January 8, 2008)
» Video: Neurosky EEG Game Controller in Action (January 2, 2008)
» Coming Up: EEG Joystick (December 13, 2007)
» Digital Cameras for Dementia Patients (December 12, 2007)
» AquilionONE CT from Toshiba Cleared by FDA (November 27, 2007)
» Speech Prosthesis Project: Talking Directly with the Brain (November 16, 2007)
» Brain2Robot Project (November 13, 2007)
» Non-Invasive Method to Visualize Neurogenesis In Situ (November 13, 2007)
» ShoePod™ to Get Trials in the US (November 12, 2007)
» The Brainbow: A New Kind of Rainbow (November 8, 2007)
» SonoLysis™ Therapy: Stroke Treatment with Ultrasound (November 5, 2007)
» Wireless EEG Powered by Body Heat (October 31, 2007)
» Magnetom Essenza Aims for the Lowe$t Common Denominator (October 24, 2007)
» Captain's Log Helps Ugandan Children Recover from Cerebral Malaria (October 24, 2007)
» Optical Coherence Tomography for Multiple Sclerosis (October 18, 2007)
» Auto Blinkers for The Eyes (October 10, 2007)
» Developments in Neural Prosthetic Devices (October 5, 2007)
» Nintendo Wii for Stroke Rehab (October 2, 2007)
» Novartis Receives EU's Approval for Alzheimer's Patch (September 25, 2007)
» With Optical Projection Tomography, No Need to Pick Fruit Flies' Brains (September 24, 2007)
» NeuroQuant™, the Brain Ruler (September 20, 2007)
» Scientists Develop Better Gauging of Brain Blood Flows (September 12, 2007)
» Mind-Reading Software from Microsoft (September 4, 2007)
» NIH to Help Develop Brain Temperature Meter (August 30, 2007)
» "Sleights of Mind" at NYT (August 21, 2007)
» Implant for Potential Treatment of Epilepsy (August 15, 2007)
» VRT Improves Brain Activity After Brain Injury (August 14, 2007)
» Treadmills for Brain Injuries (August 13, 2007)
» Fixing Hearing With Light (August 10, 2007)
» Automated Pegboard 2000 for Stroke Patients (August 10, 2007)
» Top Caffeine and Sugar Delivery Devices Ranked (August 7, 2007)
» Lomak (Light Operated Mouse And Keyboard) Gets 2007 IDEA Gold (July 26, 2007)
» SpeechEasy® for European Stammerers (July 19, 2007)
» RunBot: World's Fastest Walking Robot (July 13, 2007)
» Myomo e100 NeuroRobotic System for Rehab and Assistance (July 11, 2007)
» New Imaging Technique Could be Useful for Early Detection of Multiple Sclerosis (June 28, 2007)
» Central Flight Control in a Fly Investigated (June 26, 2007)
» Bedside Test Accurately Predicts 6 Year Risk of Dementia (June 12, 2007)
» Replacing the Vestibular System With a Chip (June 12, 2007)
» ArterioVision™: The CIMT (Carotid Intima-Media Thickness) Test (June 11, 2007)
» Math Used in Spam Filters Now Comes to the Neuroscience (June 1, 2007)
» Storing Memories In a Petri Dish (May 31, 2007)
» Simultaneous Imaging of the Brain by MRI and PET (May 25, 2007)
» Wearable Brain Scanner (May 24, 2007)
» Kinesia™: Wirelessly Monitoring Movement Disorders (May 4, 2007)
» Virtual reality device helps multiple sclerosis patients walk (May 2, 2007)
» Soap Injection Shows Promise for Treating Paralysis (April 24, 2007)
» On Mice and Light (April 20, 2007)
» Quick, Cheap & Easy Bedside Diagnosis of Brain Injury (April 16, 2007)
» Brain Folding Visualized in a New Model (April 11, 2007)
» Flexible Electronics for Brain Injury Research (April 6, 2007)
» Body Upgrades: Replacement Silicon Brain Cells (April 5, 2007)
» 3D Ultramicroscopy of Whole Mouse Brain, or How to Make a Brain Transparent (April 5, 2007)
» Scientists Control Brain Cell Activity with Light (April 5, 2007)
» The Whiff Test ... For Neurologic Disorders (April 3, 2007)
» Augmented Cognition Video (April 2, 2007)
» Mind Games (April 2, 2007)
» NovoTTF-100A for Glioblastoma Multiforme (March 30, 2007)
» MEG Scanners Are Mega Powerful (March 29, 2007)
» OpenViBE: See Your Brain in Action (March 28, 2007)
» MIT: Pulsing light silences overactive neurons (March 28, 2007)
» NeuroRobotic Brace for Stroke Recovery (March 20, 2007)
» A Brain On/Off Switch (March 16, 2007)
» Spidrex®: A New Approach To Nerve Repair (March 14, 2007)
» Salamandra Robotica (March 9, 2007)
» Gadgets You Can Control With Your Brain (March 5, 2007)
» Watch the Skies: Chinese Achieve Mind Control Over Pigeons (March 2, 2007)
» Computer Model for Object Recognition by the Central Nervous System (February 26, 2007)
» Developing a 'Smart Bladder Pacemaker' (February 16, 2007)
» Mouse Brain Proteomics in 3-D (February 15, 2007)
» Anti-Alzheimer's Patch? (January 25, 2007)
» Thinking with Spinal Cord . . . (January 25, 2007)
» Neural "Extension Cord" Developed (January 25, 2007)
» New Ideas on Developing Thought-Controlled Artificial Limbs (January 19, 2007)
» EEG Authentication: Because Fingerprints are so 90's (January 17, 2007)
» SpeechEasy, Earpiece Hard (January 11, 2007)
» Deep TMS Technology by Brainsway (January 5, 2007)
» Putting the Stress Eraser to Sleep (January 4, 2007)
» Everyday Compounds Prevent Stroke Injury; MacGyver Jealous (January 2, 2007)
» Clocky Clocks In, But Hairless (December 22, 2006)
» FilterWire EZ™ Embolic Protection System (December 15, 2006)
» FDA to Consider Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation System (December 12, 2006)
» Alzheimer's Biomarkers Identified (December 12, 2006)
» 'My Meningitis Kit' Looking for Funding (November 30, 2006)
» Memory Boost by Brain Stimulation (November 14, 2006)
» Ultrasound for Back Pain? (November 3, 2006)
» Nerve-Growing Dopamine-Laden Polymer (November 3, 2006)
» Figthing Migraines with a Medgadget? (November 2, 2006)
» A Prompt for Your Inner Voice (November 2, 2006)
» Alzheimer's Blood Markers Identified (October 31, 2006)
» Neurochip Modifies the Brain (October 25, 2006)
» A New Tool for Evaluating Learning Disabilities in Children (October 24, 2006)
» Thought-Driven Computer Control by ALS Patient (October 16, 2006)
» Northstar Guides the Way to Market (October 13, 2006)
» Teenager Plays Space Invaders with His Mind (October 11, 2006)
» New Hope for Huntington Sufferers (October 9, 2006)
» Computer System Improves Vision in Cortical Blindness (September 26, 2006)
» Allen Brain Atlas Completed (September 26, 2006)
» Fast Freezing Nematodes for Synaptic Research (September 12, 2006)
» Cracking the Real Da Vinci Code (September 11, 2006)
» Remedy Hiccups with the "Hic-Cup" (September 5, 2006)
» Preemptive Treatment of Seizures by VNS? (September 5, 2006)
» Rocket Technology Used to Develop a Physical Therapy Device (September 1, 2006)
» The Intraject® System (August 31, 2006)
» Xbox for Stroke Rehabilitation (August 30, 2006)
» On Alert in The Melatonin Room (August 30, 2006)
» Nanowires to Stimulate Nerve Signals (August 29, 2006)
» The Med-eMonitor™ System (August 25, 2006)
» Your Cortex Boots Up Each Morning with Nitric Oxide, Just Like Computer or Bouncer (August 21, 2006)
» Skin Test to Diagnose Alzheimer's? (August 17, 2006)
» TMS to Help Sharpen Vision (August 10, 2006)
» MRI Lie Detection System Under Development; Liars: "We're Not Worried" (August 9, 2006)
» Progress Lurches Forward (August 8, 2006)
» Trigeminal Stimulation as an Epilepsy Treatment (July 27, 2006)
» A Wedgy That Can Help You Relax (July 26, 2006)
» Eye Laser for Early Alzheimer's Dx (July 25, 2006)
» Making Robots More Decisive (July 19, 2006)
» More Neuroendovascular Fun: The Penumbra Stroke System (July 18, 2006)
» eXimia NBS System (July 6, 2006)
» Wingspan™: A Solution to Strokes (July 5, 2006)
» Brain Imagery of Athletes via Optical Tomography (July 5, 2006)
» Earlier Cochlear Implant Implantation Leads to Superior Speech in Deaf Children (June 30, 2006)
» Most Awkward Study Ever: Neuroimaging Techniques as a New Tool to Study the Neural Correlates Involved in Human Male Sexual Arousal (June 26, 2006)
» 'Portable' Magnetic Device Helps Prevent Migraines (June 23, 2006)
» Lofty Pillow, Heady Claims (June 15, 2006)
» WalkAide Claimed to Maximize Stroke Survivors' Recovery (June 14, 2006)
» A High-Tech Solution for Alzheimer's (June 9, 2006)
» The BRM 2 Brain Monitor with Seizure Detection Algorithm (June 9, 2006)
» Glabenator Raises Eyebrows (June 7, 2006)
» The Power of Thought (June 7, 2006)
» Brain on Silicon: Nerve Tissue Interfaced with a Computer Chip (June 5, 2006)
» WL-16RIII Walkbot (June 1, 2006)
» Neurotechnology Provides Hope for the Paralyzed (May 31, 2006)
» Zero Tension Mouse for RSI (May 25, 2006)
» Utah Electrode Array to Control Bionic Arm (May 24, 2006)
» Brain Atlas: A New Way to Study the Final Frontier (May 22, 2006)
» Popular Carpal Tunnel Therapy now OTC (May 22, 2006)
» Eon™ Rechargeable Neurostimulation System (May 8, 2006)
» The Northstar Stroke Recovery System (May 5, 2006)
» In-Depth Reporting on Acupuncture (May 4, 2006)
» The WalkAide® System (May 3, 2006)
» I-space Medical Imaging (April 25, 2006)
» Computer Chip Pings Neuron (April 24, 2006)
» NESS H200™ System (April 6, 2006)
» Truth Phone: Drinking and Dialing (March 31, 2006)
» Neuro-Semiconductor Interface Developed (March 27, 2006)
» BreatheX Wearable CPAP (March 22, 2006)
» The NC-stat System for Non-Invasive Nerve Conduction Testing (March 20, 2006)
» Ambien: Not Entirely Alseep... (March 16, 2006)
» Fewer Obstructions for Pillar System (March 15, 2006)
» aXbo Alarm Clock / Wristband (March 9, 2006)
» Put On Your Thinking Caps (March 8, 2006)
» Patents Galore: Implantable Neurostimulators Fight Snoring and Corpse Eye-Proof Scanners (March 8, 2006)
» The Neater Eater (February 3, 2006)
» Brain Imaging for Psychiatric Disorders: A Review (January 24, 2006)
» Medtronic Personal Therapy Manager (PTM) (January 12, 2006)
» Vagal Stimulation Device May Be Key in Stopping Hiccups (January 10, 2006)
» Polygraphy Goes Intracerebral (January 9, 2006)
» MONSTIR: Imaging the Neonatal Brain (December 28, 2005)
» Functional Electrical Stimulation Shows Promise (December 15, 2005)
» The Cyberhand (November 30, 2005)
» Research that Makes Us Tremble (November 28, 2005)
» Spinal Tap for Alzheimer's Diagnosis (November 17, 2005)
» MIT Announces "Future of the Brain" (November 14, 2005)
» Neurostimulation: Everyone's Doing It (November 9, 2005)
» //MUKANA for Visually Impaired (November 8, 2005)
» First Contact with a Universal Translator (October 31, 2005)
» The Rat Race and RSI (October 25, 2005)
» Gamma Knife Effective in Treating Trigeminal Neuralgia (October 20, 2005)
» CTF MEG™ Magnetoencephalography Brain Imaging System (October 18, 2005)
» Using Brain Scanners to Figure Out What Women Want (October 14, 2005)
» Alzheimer's and BMI (September 29, 2005)
» Simulator Can Help Stroke Patients Drive Again (September 28, 2005)
» Abbott's Stent To Treat Patients At Risk Of Stroke (September 19, 2005)
» The FOUR (Full Outline of UnResponsiveness) Coma Score (September 9, 2005)
» The IST Switch, Now Used by Stephen Hawking (September 6, 2005)
» Deep Blue Brain (September 6, 2005)
» Electrocardiogram for Sleep Analysis (August 31, 2005)
» Nausea Neutralizer (August 31, 2005)
» Novel Mad Cow Disease Detection Method Described (August 30, 2005)
» Fluorescent Dye for Alzheimer's Diagnosis (August 29, 2005)
» ANSiscope (August 22, 2005)
» MouseCage: An Anti-Tremor Software (August 16, 2005)
» In the Wild, Lefty Chimps Dominate (August 16, 2005)
» Electrical Exercise System for Quadriplegics (August 4, 2005)
» Heat Spreader for Epileptic Seizure Treatment (July 27, 2005)
» New Balance Device (July 15, 2005)
» Anklebot for Stroke Patients (July 7, 2005)
» Hand Mentor for Stroke Patients (June 28, 2005)
» "Bionic Arm" Technology from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (June 28, 2005)
» "Hollow-Face Illusion" Affects Estimates of Distance and Reaching Tasks (June 24, 2005)
» ABCDs of Stroke Prediction (June 22, 2005)
» New Computer Program Uses Brain Scans to Assess Risk of Alzheimer's (June 21, 2005)
» The SmartStep™ Gait System (June 21, 2005)
» Musicians' Brains Are Different (June 21, 2005)
» Carpal Solution for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (June 9, 2005)
» My Word is (Spray) Bond (June 3, 2005)
» Haptics Systems For Stroke Patients (May 27, 2005)
» New Brain Monitoring Method Would Pinpoint Babies at Risk for Seizures (May 19, 2005)
» Subvocal Speech System by NASA (May 16, 2005)
» Video Games May Help Stroke Patients (May 16, 2005)
» First 'Bionic' Electrode Implanted in UK (May 12, 2005)
» "RUPERT": Robotic Upper Extremity Repetitive Therapy (May 6, 2005)
» DETECT: New Way to Diagnose Concussions and mTBIs (May 3, 2005)
» Cool Heads Needed (April 26, 2005)
» Scanning the Unconscious (April 25, 2005)
» Sleep Gadget Roundup (April 18, 2005)
» HAL 3 (April 14, 2005)
» Medtronic "Restore" for Chronic Neurogenic Pain (April 13, 2005)
» The Assistive Mouse Adapter for Patients with Tremors (March 15, 2005)
» Mindball: the EEG game (March 4, 2005)
» VitalStim Therapy (March 3, 2005)
» ParkWalker virtual imagery glasses (February 28, 2005)
» Brain-computer interface system: promising results (February 28, 2005)
» New nerve stimulator for drop foot sufferers (February 25, 2005)
» Brain-controlled 'robo-arm' (February 18, 2005)
» NTI Tension Suppression System (February 14, 2005)
» Leukotrap® Affinity Prion Reduction Filter (February 9, 2005)
» NovaVision VRT (February 8, 2005)
» Oscillating field stimulator for injured spinal cords (January 17, 2005)
» BrainGate Neural Interface System (January 14, 2005)
» Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) (December 27, 2004)
» Nervonix (December 19, 2004)
