Soterix Medical Awarded Patent for Optimized High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Online, August 20, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Soterix Medical, Inc. announces allowance of claims from the U.S. Patent Office for an application covering their system and method of non-invasive neuromodulation using the proprietary High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) platform. The claims cover a system and method including a wearable apparatus to position an array of electrodes on the surface of the scalp, provide low dose stimulation to the brain using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and delivering this stimulation in a manner that achieves optimal focality using a minimum number of electrodes. Focality is considered pivotal for both efficacy and safety and is only possible with HD-tDCS. Reducing the number of electrodes adds robustness while simplifying application for the operator. HD-tDCS was developed at The City College of New York by Dr. Marom Bikson, Dr. Lucas Parra and colleagues and is exclusively licensed to Soterix Medical which continues to innovate the platform. "While Soterix Medical is broadly recognized for innovation in Neurotargeting including our HD-tDCS systems, we are also committed to maximizing dissemination and usability by ensuring simplicity of tDCS. This is evident in features found only in our products including this patented invention. By using this technology, operators are guaranteed maximal focality with minimal set-up. This means they can focus on the experiment and subject, and not on unneeded electrode preparation," says Dr. Abhishek Datta, CTO of Soterix Medical and co-inventor on the patent. Dr. Datta also thanked the National Institute of Health for their support of these technologies. An ongoing Phase-2 clinical trial at Harvard Medical School is evaluating the technology in patients with Fibromyalgia. Soterix Medical is committed to building its intellectual property portfolio with new applications stemming from additional on-going clinical studies. "This patent continues to build on our success in applying for and securing intellectual property for our truly innovative product and services pipeline. Strategically, it also represents a bifurcated shift in our portfolio to cover not only non-invasive brain targeting but also simplicity in application," continues Dr. Datta. "There is more to come. Moreover, as our technology continues to be validated in clinical trials, our growing patent portfolio will ensure a strategic advantage for our company by protecting technology in targeted markets."

BACKGROUND: HD-tDCS is an exclusive Neuromodulation technology developed by Soterix Medical. It is the only technology platform that allows tolerated non-invasive delivery of therapeutic current to desired brain regions. As a result, HD-tDCS offers potential for safe and effective treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders not possible with any other technology. HD-tDCS is made possible through innovations in electrode design allowing safe and tolerated current passage through proprietary "High-Definition" electrodes, individualized brain current-flow modeling and through patented targeting algorithms indicating how to place and energize HD-electrodes on the head.