FOXBOROUGH, MA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: CYKN; Cyberkinetics) announced that the Company's BrainGate Neural Interface System was named an "R&D 100" award winner by R&D Magazine, ranking it as one of the most innovative new products of the year. The R&D 100 awards honor excellence and innovation and are presented each year to 100 new products.
The BrainGate System, a brain-computer interface technology, is designed to control movement of assistive devices by neural signaling—that is, by thought alone. The technology is currently being investigated in two clinical trials in people with severe paralysis due to spinal cord injury, stroke and ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
"We are honored to be picked for this prestigious industry award," stated Timothy R. Surgenor, president and chief executive officer of Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc. "It reflects the achievements of our work in neural signaling technology and its potential to significantly improve the quality of life for people with severe paralysis."
"We are developing the BrainGate System to one day enable paralyzed people to achieve more independence by using their own thoughts to control a wide range of external devices, including wheelchairs, as well as to someday move their own limbs," added John P. Donoghue, Ph.D., Cyberkinetics' chief scientific officer and director of the Brain Science Program at Brown University.
Battelle, the world's largest non-profit independent research and development organization, is co-winner of the award with Cyberkinetics.
"In 2006 we made a breakthrough in the development of new techniques that more accurately interpreted the brain signals we were gathering," said Chad Bouton, Senior Research Engineer at Battelle Medical Device Solutions, who worked with the BrainGate engineering team. "For the first time this allowed a person with the sensor to demonstrate control of a wheelchair directly through thought alone."
Winning candidates of the R&D 100 awards are identified by an independent panel of judges. This year's awards will be presented to winners in Chicago on October 18, 2007. The annual competition was first introduced in 1963. Previous winners have included the automated teller machine (1973), the Nicoderm anti-smoking patch (1992), and high definition television (1998).
About the BrainGate System
The BrainGate Neural Interface System is a proprietary, investigational brain-computer interface (BCI) that consists of an internal sensor to detect brain cell activity and external processors that convert these brain signals into a computer-mediated output under the person's own control. The sensor is a tiny silicon chip about the size of a baby aspirin with one hundred electrodes, each thinner than a human hair, that can detect the electrical activity of neurons. The sensor is implanted on the surface of the area of the brain responsible for movement, the motor cortex. The sensor picks up signals related to movement intentions and transmits them to computers, signal processors and monitors that enable study participants to control devices driven by their neural output—that is, by thought alone. The ultimate goal of the BrainGate System development program is to create a safe, effective and unobtrusive universal operating system that will enable those with motor impairments resulting from a variety of causes to quickly and reliably control a wide range of devices, including computers, assistive technologies and medical devices, simply by using their thoughts.
About Battelle
Battelle Medical Device Solutions delivers a comprehensive set of research, development, and product support services to medical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical firms serving a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic markets. Integrating design, engineering, and life science capabilities, Battelle Medical Device Solutions supports customers through the complete product life cycle by offering applied research, device development, clinical research, and sustaining engineering services.
About Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc.
Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc., a leader in the neurotechnology industry, is developing neural stimulation, sensing and processing technology designed to improve the lives of those with severe paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and other conditions of the nervous system. Cyberkinetics' product development pipeline includes: the Andara OFS Therapy for acute spinal cord injury, an investigative device designed to stimulate nerve repair and restore sensation and motor function; the BrainGate System, an investigative device designed to provide communication and control of a computer, assistive devices, and, ultimately, limb movement; and a pilot program in the detection and prediction of Epileptic seizures. Additional information is available at Cyberkinetics' Web site.