Northstar Neuroscience Selects AMI Semiconductor to Develop ASIC for New Stroke Therapy Neurostimulation Device; Technology Intended to Improve Patient Recovery.POCATELLO, Idaho Pocatello (IPA: [po kə tɛ lo]) is the county seat and largest city of Bannock CountyGR6 -- AMI Semiconductor AMI Semiconductor is a company engaged the design and manufacture of customer specific integrated circuit solutions, including solutions for the automotive, medical and industrial markets. Among its products are products that integrate processing of analog and digital signals. (Nasdaq:AMIS A·mis , Kingsley 1922-1995. British writer best known for his novels, including Lucky Jim (1954) and Jake's Thing (1978). ), a leading designer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art integrated mixed-signal and structured digital products for the automotive, medical and industrial markets, today announced that Northstar Neuroscience, Inc. (Nasdaq:NSTR NSTR Nothing Significant To Report NSTR Naval Sea System Command Technical Representative ), a medical device company, selected AMIS to design and manufacture the application specific integrated circuit integrated circuit (IC), electronic circuit built on a semiconductor substrate, usually one of single-crystal silicon. The circuit, often called a chip, is packaged in a hermetically sealed case or a nonhermetic plastic capsule, with leads extending from it for (ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) Pronounced "a-sick." A chip that is custom designed for a specific application rather than a general-purpose chip such as a microprocessor. ) for the Northstar Stroke Recovery System. Allen Wyler Allen Wyler practiced neurosurgery at the University of Washington, University of Tennessee, and finally at Swedish Hospital in Seattle before leaving practice to become Medical Director for Northstar Neuroscience. , MD, a neurosurgeon neurosurgeon a physician who specializes in neurosurgery. neurosurgeon A surgeon specialized in managing diseases of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves Meat & potatoes diseases Brain tumors, spinal cord disease Salary $245K + 15% bonus. who is Northstar Neuroscience's Medical Director, commented on Northstar's investigational therapy: "After a stroke, the brain attempts to compensate for the damaged area by reorganizing through a process known as neuroplasticity. However, many survivors of stroke remain impaired for the rest of their lives. We have spent years developing a device system which is intended to help improve function in stroke survivors months or even years after their strokes." The American Stroke Association estimates that about 700,000 people in the U.S. experience a stroke every year. The estimated direct and indirect healthcare costs related to stroke was over $56 billion in 2005. Initial research has demonstrated that cortical stimulation of healthy brain tissue near the area damaged by the stroke, in combination with rehabilitation, may facilitate neuroplasticity and improve function. Northstar's stroke therapy device involves the precise delivery of low levels of electricity to the surface of the brain (the cortex) via an implanted stimulator system. Results from two feasibility studies presented at medical congresses this year assessed the safety of cortical stimulation in the rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients and suggest a greater improvement in recovery of hand/arm function compared to controls. The company is currently enrolling patients in a larger pivotal clinical study to confirm these results. The ultra low-power consumption ASIC for the Northstar system is being designed and produced by AMIS at the company's Carlsbad, California design center and Pocatello, Idaho manufacturing facility. "After an intense evaluation of a number of potential partners serving this market, it became clear that AMI Semiconductor offers outstanding capabilities, custom production processes and experience as a manufacturer of ASICs for implantable medical devices," said Alan Levy, Ph.D, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Northstar Neuroscience. "Numerous medical device companies have come to rely on AMI Semiconductor to meet the critical technical requirements of implantable devices," said Robert Tong, senior vice president of the medical and wireless product line at AMIS. "We are very excited to partner with Northstar Neuroscience to bring their potentially life-changing product to patients. We have worked diligently to develop a successful track record in delivering critical integrated circuits on time and above the required quality levels. We look forward to continuing that success with Northstar." Patients are currently being enrolled in a clinical trial of the implantable stroke therapy neurostimulator. More information about the clinical trials can be found here: http://www.northstarneuro.com/clinicaltrials/index.asp About AMI Semiconductor AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) is a leader in the design and manufacture of silicon solutions for the real world. As a widely recognized innovator in state-of-the-art integrated mixed-signal and structured digital products, AMIS is committed to providing customers with the optimal value, quickest time-to-market semiconductor solutions. Offering unparalleled manufacturing flexibility and dedication to customer service, AMI Semiconductor operates globally with headquarters in Pocatello, Idaho, European corporate offices in Oudenaarde, Belgium, and a network of sales and design centers located in the key markets of the North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. AMI Semiconductor serves the medical device market through a dedicated medical and wireless product line headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario. Additional information about the AMIS medical and wireless product line can be found here: www.amis.com/applications/medical/ About Northstar Neuroscience Northstar Neuroscience is a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing neurostimulation therapies for a broad range of neurological diseases and disorders. Northstar's proprietary technology is designed to deliver targeted electrical stimulation to the outermost out·er·most adj. Most distant from the center or inside; outmost. outermost Adjective furthest from the centre or middle Adj. 1. layer of the brain, called the cortex, in a process referred to as cortical stimulation. The company's initial investigational product, the Northstar Stroke Recovery System, is designed to enhance recovery of hand and arm motor function in patients who have suffered a stroke. Northstar is also studying therapeutic applications for stroke-related aphasia aphasia (əfā`zhə), language disturbance caused by a lesion of the brain, making an individual partially or totally impaired in his ability to speak, write, or comprehend the meaning of spoken or written words. and tinnitus Tinnitus Definition Tinnitus is hearing ringing, buzzing, or other sounds without an external cause. Patients may experience tinnitus in one or both ears or in the head. . |
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