Monthly Archives: March 2017

Thomas Edison, one of the great minds of the second industrial revolution, once said that the chief function of the body is to carry the brain around. Understanding the human brain how it works, and how it is afflicted by diseases and disorders is an important frontier in science and society today.

Advances in neuroscience and technology increasingly impact intellectual wellbeing, education, business, and social norms. Recent findings confirm the plasticity of the brain over the individuals life. Imaging technologies and brain stimulation technologies are opening up totally new approaches in treating disease and potentially augmenting cognitive capacity. Unravelling the brains many secrets will have profound societal implications that require a closer contract between science and society.

Convergence across physical science, engineering, biological science, social science and humanities has boosted innovation in brain science and technological innovation. It offers large potential for a systems biology approach to unify heterogeneous data from omics tools, imaging technologies such as fMRI, and behavioural science.

Citizen science the convergence between science and society already proved successful in EyeWire where people competed to map the 1,000-neuron connectome of the mouse retina. Also, the use of nanoparticles as coating of implanted abiotic devices offers great potential to improve the immunologic acceptance of invasive diagnostics. Brain-inspired neuromorphic engineering aims to develop novel computer systems with brain-like characteristics, including low energy consumption, adequate fault tolerance, self-learning capabilities, and some sort of intelligence. Here, the convergence of nanotechnology with neuroscience could help building neuro-inspired computer chips; brain-machine interfaces and robots with artificial intelligence systems.

Future opportunities for cognitive enhancement for improved attentiveness, memory, decision making, and control through, for example, non-invasive brain stimulation and neural implants have raised, and shall continue to raise, profound ethical, legal, and social questions. What is societally acceptable and desirable, both now and in the future?

At a recent OECD workshop, we identified five possible systemic changes that could help speed up neurotechnology developments to meet pressing health challenges and societal needs.

There is growing interest in discussing and unpacking the ethical and societal aspects of brain science as the technologies and applications are developed. Much can be learned from other experiences in disruptive innovation. The international Human Genome Project (1990-2003), for example, was one of the earlier large-scale initiatives in which social scientists worked in parallel with the natural sciences in order to consider the ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) of their work.

The deliberation of ELSI and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in nanotechnologies is another example of how societies, in some jurisdictions, have approached R&D activities, and the role of the public in shaping, or at least informing, their trajectory. RRI knits together activities that previously seemed sporadic. According to Jack Stilgoe, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Science and Technology Studies, University College London, the aim of responsible innovation is to connect the practice of research and innovation in the present to the futures that it promises.

Frameworks, such as ELSI and RRI should more actively engage patients and patient organisations early in the development cycle, and in a meaningful way. This could be achieved through continuous public platforms and policy discussion instead of traditional one-off public engagement and the deliberation of scientific advances and ELSI through culture and art.

Research funders public agencies, private investors, foundations, as well as universities themselves are particularly well positioned to shape trajectories of technology and society. Through their funding power, they have unique capacity to help place scientific work within social, ethical, and regulatory contexts.

It is an opportune time for funders to: 1) strengthen the array of approaches and mechanisms for building a robust and meaningful neurotechnology landscape that meaningfully engages human values and is informed by it; 2) discuss options to foster open and responsible innovation; and 3) better understand the opportunities and challenges for building joint initiatives in research and product development.

Society and industry would benefit from earlier, and more inclusive, discussions about the ethical, legal and social implications of how neurotechnologies are being developed and their entry onto the market. For example, the impact of neuromodulatory devices that promise to enhance cognition, alter mood, or improve physical performance on human dignity, privacy, and equitable access could be considered earlier in the research and development process.

Given the significant investment risks and high failure rates of clinical trials in central nervous systems disorders, companies could adopt more open innovation approaches in which public and private stakeholders actively collaborate, share assets including intellectual property, and invest together.

Popular media is full of colourful brain images used to illustrate stories about neuroscience. Unproven health claims, including those which give rise to so-called neuro-hype and neuro-myths. Misinformation is a strong possibility where scientific work potentially carries major social implications (for example, work on mental illness, competency, intelligence, etc).

It has the potential to result in public mistrust and to undermine the formation of markets. There is a need for evidence-based policies and guidelines to help the responsible development and use of neurotechnology in medical practice and in over-the-counter products. Policymakers and regulators could lead the development of a clear path to translate neurotechnology discoveries into human health advantages that are commercially viable and sustainable.

Policymakers should discuss the socio-economic questions raised by neurotechnology. Rising disparities in access to often high-priced medical innovation require tailored solutions for poorer countries. The development of public-private partnerships and simplification of technology help access to innovation in resource-limited countries.

In addition to helping people with neurological and psychiatric disorders, the biggest cause of disability worldwide, neurotechnologies will shape every aspect of society in the future. A roadmap for guiding responsible research and innovation in neurotechnology may be transformative.

Notes:

P. Murali Doraiswamy Leading expert in brain and behavioural sciences, health innovation and mobile medical technologies. Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine, Duke University Health System. Member of corporate and non-profit boards. Adviser to several health and technology businesses.

Hermann GardenOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Working Party on Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Converging Technologies

David WinickoffOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Working Party on Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Converging Technologies

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How to ensure future brain technologies will help and not harm society - USAPP American Politics and Policy (blog)

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ALLENDALE, N.J.(BUSINESS WIRE)Strykers Spine division today announced that it will demonstrate its Aero-C Cervical Stability System (Aero-C) and Xia 4.5 Cortical Trajectory implants and instruments (Xia CT) at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting, March 1518, 2017, in San Diego (booth No. 3133).

Aero-C, the only straight forward anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) device that offers uniform compression across the interbody space, will be displayed at AAOS 2017, highlighting its full commercial launch. Using Aerofoil Compression Technology, Aero-C is designed to pull the vertebral bodies toward the implant as it is inserted, creating compressive forces at the implant-to-endplate interface.1 Aerofoil Compression Technology is also available for lateral and anterior lumbar interbody fusion procedures (LLIF and ALIF). Since the initial introduction to the market, over 600 cases have been completed.

Also to be demonstrated at AAOS is Xia CT, which includes implants and instruments used in less invasive LITe LIF posterior lumbar interbody fusion procedures for patients with degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and trauma. The cortical trajectory procedure facilitates a smaller midline incision to help achieve decompression, fixation, and fusion.2 It also is intended to be more muscle sparing than standard open procedures that require lateral dissection, and its reduced incision may allow for more efficient exposure and closure time.2 The launch of the Xia CT system occurred in 2016, with 575 cases completed to date.

Since their introduction last year, Aero-C and Xia CT have been well received by our surgeon customers and have achieved rapid adoption in the marketplace, said Bradley Paddock, President of Strykers Spine division. These unique products reflect our strong commitment to advancing spine health and helping to enhance outcomes for patients by providing physicians with innovative and differentiated technology.

Aero-C and Xia CT offer advancements that highlight the Spine divisions leadership in pioneering innovative technologies for traditional and minimally invasive surgical techniques. The company offers one of the most comprehensive and diverse product portfolios for the treatment of degenerative and complex spinal disorders. Its suite of leading-edge products includes implants, instruments, and biologics for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.

About Stryker

Stryker is one of the worlds leading medical technology companies and, together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes. Stryker is active in over 100 countries around the world. Please contact us for more information atwww.stryker.com.

References

Indications for Use

The AERO-C Cervical Cage is indicated for use in cervical interbody fusion procedures in skeletally mature patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) at one level from the C2-C3 disc to the C7-T1 disc. The AERO-C Cervical Cage System is to be used with autogenous bone graft and/or allogenic bone graft comprised of cancellous and/or corticocancellous bone graft, and is to be implanted via an open, anterior approach.

The Xia CT implants and instruments are intended for anterior/anterolateral and posterior, non-cervical pedicle and non-pedicle fixation for the following indications: Degenerative Disc Disease (as defined by back pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by patient history and radiographic studies); spondylolisthesis; trauma (i.e. fracture or dislocation); spinal stenosis; curvatures (i.e., scoliosis, kyphosis, and/or lordosis); tumor; pseudarthrosis; failed previous fusion.

Content ID: CVAER-PR-2_13458

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Stryker's Spine division to exhibit key technologies at AAOS 2017 - OrthoSpineNews

Photo: ReThinkX

The MedX Future of Healthcare conference will be held on 25th March at Citylabs 1.0, ran by ReThinkX, which aims to bridge the gap between the next generation and leaders of the field and to create an accessible medium to showcase the technology at the forefront of healthcare.

Tariq Ramtoola, Director of ReThinkX, says: We will have speaker panels running in the same time as workshops in order for people to feel more free to choose what mood they are in: listening to innovative speakers, be more hands on, be enthusiastic and debate, or even just relax in the chill-out area. There will be something for everybody!

We think traditional conferences are too rigid and set the agenda for attendees, says Ramtoola on the format of the conference.

Keynotes on the day include Hugo Mercier, CEO & co-founder of Rythm, a neurotechnology company that has made the first active wearable headband to help improve sleep. The Dreem headband is due to be available to consumers soon.

Also speaking is Dr Pablo Rojo, a Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist from Madrid. Previously Dr Rojo is part of the EPIICAL project, which aims to provide new therapeutics to early treated HIV-infected children, and has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles in his career.

Unlike other events of its kind, the MedX conference is free for students, but limited priced tickets are available for academics and professionals in the healthcare field. Explaining this decision, Ramtoola says that ReThinkX wanted to put great emphasis on accessibility.

Workshops will also be held throughout the day, including one by GMC which will challenge the ethical implications of social media and a digital world, led by Tista Chakravarty-Gannon, GMCs Principal Regional Liaison Advisor.

Bella Eacott, Research and Curriculum Manager at Clod Ensemble, and Suzy Wilson, Director of Performing Medicine, an education programme led by a theatre company will be holding a Circle of Care workshop, looking at art based methods in healthcare education.

In the future, ReThinkX hope to grow the conference so that it spans two days with 500 to 1000 delegates.

We are working with Manchester entrepreneurs, Manchester Science Partnerships and the North-West Biotech Initiative to create an entrepreneurship academy focused on small scale innovation, Ramtoola says.

Tickets are available here.

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Preview: MedX Future of Healthcare conference - The Mancunion