Image Credit: Synergia Medical
Synergia Medical is a Belgian company founded in 2014 developing a neurostimulation system that powers the stimulation electrodes by photovoltaic conversion of light pulses produced by a generator connected via optical fiber.
The concept is to reduce major metallic components such that the device can be operated while the patient undergoes a functional MRI (fMRI), and hence, according to Synergia, allow the device’s performance to be assessed and optimized at the time of implant.
Their first product, the NAO.VNS is intended to treat epileptic seizures. It consists of a rechargeable optical pulse generator housed within a quartz enclosure that is connected to the electrode unit via a polymer-based optical fiber. The pulses of light are then converted into electrical stimuli at the electrode site by photovoltaic cells.
Synergia Medical is planning to start its AURORA (A First in hUman Study for Resistant Epilepsy With the Vagus Nerve stimulatiOn Device by syneRgia medicAl) 10-patient trial in June 2024.
I remember that back in the 2000s Michael Weiner and Wilson Greatbatch had a company called Biophan Technologies that proposed an MRI-compatible pacemaker using the same principle of using a light pulse generator connected to the photovoltaic pacing electrode assembly via an optical fiber lead. Biophan’s MRI safety patents were purchased by Medtronic in 2007 for $11M. As far as I know, a pacemaker using a photonic lead was never developed for commercial use, especially since MRI never turned out to be as problematic for AIMDs as originally feared.
Image Credit: Synergia Medical