Autism, paralysis, and persistent, medication-resistant pain are among the challenges that emerging companies and organizations hope to alleviate through neuromodulation therapy. Neuromodulation therapy, sometimes referred to as bioelectric medicine or electroceuticals, is one of medicine's fastest-growing fields, driven by rising neurological disease in an aging population, and the need for non-pharmacological approaches to manage symptoms. The first use of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to treat chronic pain of neuropathic origin was reported in 1967 by C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D. Neuromodulation devices, such as SCS and deep brain stimulation systems, leverage technology developed for cardiac pacemakers and cochlear implants to re-balance neural activity. Neuromodulation therapies help relieve chronic pain or restore function. Existing and emerging devices operate through targeted application of electrical, magnetic, chemical, or optical stimulation. Current or emerging neuromodulation therapies address deficits in vision, hearing, breathing, mobility, grasp or gait, motor function, mood, memory, and digestion. Three panels of innovators will present emerging therapies in a daylong preconference before the International Neuromodulation Society 13th World Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Innovations Day preconference on May 28, 2017 also includes discussion by commercialization experts and financiers about capturing data to support reimbursement. Twelve participating start-up companies and research organizations … Continue reading →

Accidents involving those sent Spinal and neck injuries sent nine people to a hospital near Rehoboth Beach alone last year. Up the coast, hundreds are injured during the summer in the beach towns. Produced by Megan Raymond Kids play in the waves in Ocean City, Md., during Memorial Day weekend 2016.(Photo: Megan Raymond photo)Buy Photo On a recent sunny afternoon, Katie Workman, of Doylestown, Ohio, was watching her sonplay on the Ocean City sand by the ocean a body of water she won't even dip a toe in. "I have never been in it," she said. "I don't want to be swept away by a shark." But another danger lurks in the water, and it has nothing to do with fear of jaws: spinal and neck injuries. Accidents involving those sent nine people to a hospital near Rehoboth Beach alone last year. Up the coast, hundreds are injured during the summer in the beach towns. And some say the chances for injuries may be worse along the coast's replenished beaches. READ MORE:As Ocean City evolves, it shoots for the sky Trips to the emergency room occur in a variety of ways, such as diving into the water where it's too … Continue reading →