Medical Device Developer Launches Unit to Advance Neurostimulation

NDI Medical, a leader in the development and commercialization of neurostimulation products for the medical device industry, today announced it has formed a new business unit to help companies and researchers develop and market neurostimulation products for neurological and cardiac applications that use implantable pulse generator (IPG) technology. The company’s new wireless, rechargeable IPG, the Micropulse, sits at the core of the Micropulse Business Unit. It is the smallest device of its kind available to companies and researchers developing neurostimulation products.
    “The Micropulse IPG can be customized to achieve the clinical, therapeutic and business objectives of our customers,” said Richard P. Kuntz, the General Manager of the business unit.
    “The Micropulse technology platform is a complete neurostimulation system, including the IPG, implantable leads, surgical delivery tools and devices to program and control the IPG. Our system makes NDI Medical an ideal one-stop solution for companies and researchers pursuing the neurostimulation market,”
Kuntz said.
    Neurostimulation is being used increasingly by clinicians to treat a
variety of medical problems, including pain management, cardiac therapies, obesity management, mental disorders, respiratory illnesses, pelvic
healthcare, and paralysis.
    The Micropulse Business Unit is working with several customers that sought to accelerate and enhance the development of their neurostimulation products, according to Geoffrey Thrope, president and CEO of NDI Medical.
Thrope said NDI Medical is exploring opportunities with start-up
neurostimulation companies; medical device companies pursuing the neurostimulation market; neurostimulation researchers and clinicians; and neurostimulation companies seeking product advancements.
    “NDI Medical is the only company with the requisite technology, products, clinical expertise, and regulatory experience to get companies and researchers from development to market efficiently,” Kuntz said.
    NDI Medical hired Kuntz, a 15-year medical device industry veteran, last year to head its new business unit. He previously was vice president of operations for Cyberonics, Inc. and Northstar Neuroscience, Inc. and has worked for Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. and Spacelab Medical, Inc.
    “Richard brings to NDI Medical extensive experience in developing and manufacturing IPGs for industry leaders and startups,” said Thrope.
    “Neurostimulation devices can dramatically improve the lives of patients who face a variety of medical issues,” Thrope said. “NDI Medical’s mission is to deliver the client’s clinical application to market as soon as reasonably possible by customizing our Micropulse platform technology to fit the application. Additionally, our core competencies in neurostimulation product development and commercialization provide added strategic value in technology development, reimbursement assessments, project management, regulatory, and clinical studies support. Our Micropulse Business Unit is truly a one-stop neurostimulation shop for the neurostimulation marketplace.”