Holst Centre and Neurogyn partner for advanced pelvic nerve neurostimulator

Holst Centre has announced that it’s teaming up with Swiss medtech specialist Neurogyn to develop a next-generation implantable device for peripheral nerve stimulation. The duo will look to combine Neurogyn’s expertise in neurostimulation, which delivers pulses of current to pelvic nerves via electrodes, together with Imec’s prowess in ultra-low-power wireless communication and powering. By joining forces, the two sides aim to create a specialized neurostimulator that’s more efficient, cost effective and longer lasting.

Pelvic nerves play an important role in bladder, sexual and bowel function, and movement and sensation in the legs. First-line treatment options for pelvic nerve disorders don’t always lead to sufficient improvement of complaints and can cause adverse side effects, which results in 60 percent of patients discontinuing therapy. Alternative treatment methods, like the current off-the-shelf stimulators, are bulky, expensive and have a limited lifetime. For its part, researchers at Holst Centre are looking to build on its expertise in implantable solutions and leverage its abilities in advanced miniaturization technology to make the device more accessible.

“The new design aims to enable a smaller, state-of-the-art neurostimulator with advanced capabilities that complements Neurogyn’s patented surgical procedure,” says Marc Possover, founder and CSO of Neurogyn. “The project underlines our vision of making this technology readily available to anyone, including the developing world, by making the device affordable and the implantation procedure feasible by doctors at the point of need.”