Volume 1, Issue 1

Text Box: In October, STIM announced the kick off of an important project that will dramatically improve our educational resources.
Partnering with Neurotech Business Report, STIM is now developing a centralized database of neurotechnology devices.  The goal is to provide a central information source of neurotechnology devices and suppliers in an effective and user-friendly manner.  It is our belief that putting accurate and comprehensive information into the hands of users, potential users (persons with impairments), their families and health care professionals will help them make better decisions regarding their health and independence. This database will put useful information at your fingertips.  
We have gathered a team of over 40 disability community leaders, healthcare professionals and researchers to help guide us in the development of this educational resource.  The final database is projected  to launch in 2005.
Text Box: A variety of neurotechnology devices designed to treat urinary problems have been around for many years and as customer demand continues to grow more competitors enter the market.  The following is a listing of some of the neurotechnology products.  A more comprehensive list is available in the Educate section of our website.
InterStim®  Therapy from Medtronic is an implanted sacral nerve stimulation system to treat urinary urgency-frequency, incontinence and urinary retention.  For some patients, they are able to urinate without the use of a catheter.  The system consists of implanted electrodes and an external control unit. To learn more, visit www.medtronic.com/neuro/interstim or call 1-800-328-2518
Urgent*PC from CystoMedix is a percutaneous tibial neuromodulation system that stimulates the tibial nerve.  The device is designed to treat all the conditions that the sacral nerve stimulation does but additionally treats interstitial cystitis and/or pelvic pain.  The system uses a surface stimulator on the tibial nerve, by the ankle, and a percutaneous electrode in the same area.  This also has an external control unit.  To learn more, visit www.cystomedix.com or call 1-866-727-6509.
Bion® from Advanced Bionics is a new implantable device that is controlled using radio waves.  It is currently under development to treat urinary incontinence.  It has been accepted in the European Union under a CE mark to treat urinary incontinence and  urgency-frequency.  It is not yet approved by the FDA in the United States.  To learn more visit www.advancedbionics.com
Finally, there are several external devices to applied to the pelvic floor.  They include the 
Liberty® provided through the Utah Medical Products,
InnoSense® & Minnova®, from Empi, Inc.
Microgyn Plus  by Hollister and
NeoControl® by Neotonus.
Information regarding these devices is available in the Educate section of our website at www.TheSTIM.org.  

Text Box: neurotechnology industry joined together to support STIM.
Afferent Corporation
Cleveland Medical Devices, Inc.
Cyclotec Advanced Medical Technologies, Inc.
NDI Medical
Neural Signals, Inc.
Robomedica, Inc.
Many thanks to the members of our 
Text Box: Our efforts are not possible without the generous donations from our supporters.  
Founding Sponsors
Cyberkinetics
The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation
ANS - Advanced Neuromodulation Systems
Small businesses in the Text Box: Board of Directors for volunteering their time and talent. 
Amanda Boxtel
Mary Buckett
James Cavuoto
Jennifer French
Brian Kovach
Additional thanks to Jack Gardner for his guidance and advice. 
Join the supporters.   Visit us at www.TheSTIM.org and donate on-line or contact us directly.

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Text Box: On the Horizon: Resource for the Future
Text Box: Industry: Urinary control products
Text Box: STIM Supporters

This newsletter was made possible by a generous grant from the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.