Neurotech Vendors Target Cerebral Palsy Market

by James Cavuoto, editor

Neurotechnology vendors are beginning to target new and existing products to the cerebral palsy market. Though the disorder is not as large nor as homogenous as some other conditions, there seems to be a good fit with some devices originally targeted for individuals with stroke, spinal cord injuries, movement disorders, and other neurological conditions.

The term cerebral palsy represents a number of disorders of the developing brain affecting body movement, posture, and muscle coordination. The United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation estimates between 1.5 and 2 million children and adults have cerebral palsy in the U.S., and 10,000 babies and infants are diagnosed with cerebral palsy annually. Individuals with the disorder frequently exhibit spasticity, dyskinesia, and ataxia. Researchers in the field are looking to advances in neuroplasticity, neural regeneration, and neuroprotection as long-term treatment strategies.

At the United Cerebral Palsy 2009 Annual Conference, held in San Francisco, CA earlier this month, several neurotech vendors participated in a conference track organized by Neurotech Network executive director Jennifer French. Medtronic Inc., which manufactures an intrathecal baclofen pump to treat spasticity, made a presentation describing their device. The company also had one of their users and her parent on hand to describe their experiences with the system.

Another firm that participated in the session was Restorative Therapies Inc., the Baltimore, MD manufacturer of neurorehabilitation systems. RTI CEO Andrew Barriskill described his company’s RT300 FES cycle and spoke of the company’s recent activities within the cerebral palsy community. A Florida-based wellness center called Creative Children Therapy, Inc. began a program called Giant Steps, which combines traditional physical therapy with time on the RT300 and treadmill walking.

After a six-week pilot program last year with seven children with CP, one was able to sit independently for the first time, one was able to walk with a walker for the first time in seven years, one was able to stand independently for the first time, and a fourth was able to walk without an orthosis for the first time, according to Barriskill. Barriskill said that users of the RT300 are successful in obtaining reimbursement for the device in about 40 percent of cases. The device costs about $15,000.

Also presenting at the UCP conference was Nader Kameli, COO of Victhom Human Bionics’ Neurobionix division. Kameli described the company’s Neurostep implanted stimulator to treat drop foot gait disorders, which recently received CE Mark approval in Europe. He also disclosed details about the second generation of the Neurostep device currently under development.

The new system will have the capability to address more gait disorders than currently available surface stimulation devices, which are geared to ankle dorsiflexion. The new Neurostep system will be able to treat individuals with spasticity or balance disorders, and will also be able to help with knee flexion. Neurostep will likely cost between $15,000 and $20,000 when it is available in the U.S.