Intento SA wins CTI Swiss Medtech Award
© 2016 EPFL
This year's Swiss Medtech award went to the SME from the EPFL for developing a userfriendly neuro-stimulations device, which helps with the therapy of stroke patients with individual movement patterns. The award was presented by President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann in front of an audience around 600 delegates.
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann and Gábor Székely, CTI Commission member and head of CTI Medtech, presented Dr Andrea Maesani and Dr Andrea Biasucci of Intento SA with the award in the form of a stone trophy and cheque for CHF 15,000. “All three of the projects nominated deserved
to win the award. They demonstrate the enormous spirit of innovation in this country and how it benefits the medtech industry and Switzerland’s standing as a location for business”, said President Schneider-Ammann in his address in praise of the nominees. The winning project was selected by the 600 delegates from medtech research and industry during a live voting session at Swiss Medtech Day 2016.
Innovation for patients with brain injuries caused by strokes
Every year, 17 million people worldwide suffer strokes – a third are left severely paralysed. Rehabilitation therapies available today can offer only little help. A CTI-funded project carried out by the EPFL and its spin-off Intento is giving new hope to people with brain injuries. The user-friendly system they have developed consists of tablet software and a motion control device which is connected to an electrical stimulator. The therapist selects one of several programmed movements on the tablet and loads them wirelessly onto the motion-control device. The patient is connected to the stimulator via electrodes.
Turning a dial on the device controls the electrical stimulation of the muscles and nerves – and thereby the degree of movement of the paralysed arm according to the programmed movement selected. Initial studies show how effective the system is: 80 per cent of patients showed a clinically relevant
improvement after two weeks compared to only 30% undergoing conventional intensive therapy. Intento plans to launch two versions of the product – one for use in hospitals, followed by a second for simple use at home.