- Image Credit: Victhom Human Bionics
Victhom Human Bionics was founded in 2002 in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Canada. The company’s Neurobionix business unit develops its implantable closed-loop system devices.
The Neurostep® is a neurostimulator designed to be implanted into the patient’s leg. Electrodes are attached to the peripheral nerves responsible for sensing and stimulating the muscles that lift the foot during normal walking. In operation, the device senses key physical events and stimulates the muscles of the ankle flexing the foot upward in patients suffering from foot drop.
The technology was originally developed at Simon Fraser University in Canada. In 1997 Neurostream Technologies was founded as a spin-off from the University, and between 2001 and 2004 designed, developed and tested the Neurostep. In 2003-2004 Neurostream carried out an 8-month pilot feasibility trial with a hemiplegic stroke subject with severe foot drop who received a fully implanted Neurostep system that electrically activated his paralyzed ankle and foot appropriately to assist his walking. In 2004 Neurostream was wholly acquired by Victhom Human Bionics.
Victhom continued developing the technology, and received the CE Mark for the Neurostep system in February 2009.
On June 2011, it was announced that the Otto Bock group (a world leader in the prosthetics market) acquired Neurostream Technologies. The announcement stated that “… The redemption by Otto Bock of the minority interest that Victhom Human Bionics had in Neurostream Technologies will allow it to consolidate all neurostimulation activities worldwide and to capitalize on the state-of-the-art expertise developed locally. “
Victhom’s website: www.victhom.com
Neurostream Technologies’ website: www.neurostream-technologies.com
Click here for Neurostream Technologies’ patents