Sports Medicine Concussion Research

An important high school athlete study is underway to refine and validate the I-Portal® test battery.  NKI is collecting base line data at the beginning of the sports season to compare post trauma for head injuries sustained during the season.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the result of a blunt blow, jolt or blast overpressure to the head that disrupts brain function. The terms mild TBI (mTBI) and concussion are commonly used interchangeably, and have been linked with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The severity of head injuries range from a brief change in mental status or consciousness to extended unconsciousness and amnesia. In severe or multiple concussion cases, personality changes can occur with devastating results.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 3.17 million Americans currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of a TBI. Currently there is no accepted clinical method to objectively detect mTBI.

Neuro Kinetics  Neuro-Otologic Test Devices

NKI’s comprehensive I-Portal® neuro-otologic test devices are in wide use as a diagnostic tool for early disease detection by audiologists, ENT’s, neuro-otologists, neuro-ophthalmologist, and neurologists all over the world. The same multimodal tool is being used in research applications to detect mTBI and to monitor recovery from head trauma.

The I-Portal® tests are neuro-physiologic; measuring the eye’s response to various motion, oculomotor, and optokinetic stimuli. Early data shows I-Portal® tests can detect abnormalities resulting from head trauma even when structural imaging technologies show no damage. The test battery also suggests the data is significantly more objective than current neuro-psychological tests that rely partially on patient self diagnosis.

NKI is collaborating with military and sports medicine researchers to study new methods to objectively diagnose and monitor blast and blunt force head trauma.Our battery of tests can help examiners use and compare baseline data to post trauma data to make better return to play and return to duty decisions.

BEST OF VEST™ UPDATE!

NKI’s 6.10 Version Has Some Hidden Talents

Since our update in May, VEST™ 6.10 has been in the hands of our maintenance and software subscription customers. With the help of Bloomsburg and Gallaudet Universities, we put VEST 6.10 through the most rigorous and extensive testing of any software version we have introduced – and it shows! The support calls for 6.10 have been lower than any previous release. As a result the feedback has been quite positive.

In addition, we built into 6.10 the functionality to add on new utilities. The first is called VEST™ ADATA (Advanced Data Management Utility).

The ADATA utility, now available for purchase, facilitates the statistical analysis of large volumes of patient data, and streamlines the analysis required for a paper or presentation.

VEST users could always download raw patient data into an Excel or ASCME file for further analysis. VEST ADATA enables the use of database queries to collect the test results from an entire patient population for a more sophisticated statistical analysis. Users can query the database to capture select groups or tests across all groups.

Such a utility is invaluable for a clinic collecting its own normative data or for a research study focusing on a given patient population, such as those diagnosed with BPPV or mTBI (concussion). A few of the benefits of VEST ADATA include:

Eliminates manual export and/or re-entry of test results

Sets up a database for efficient statistical analysis of large volumes of data

Streamlines the analysis required for a paper or presentation

Also, we have scheduled the next major software release: VEST 7.0. Vest 7.0 is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year. More details will be available later but an early look at some inclusions are a new report generator, enhanced video recording and migration to Windows® 7.

As you have come to expect, Neuro Kinetics continues to be The Innovator.

New software releases are available for purchase and include a one year subscription. Contract customers, of course, receive all new versions as soon as they are released in addition to unlimited technical phone, web enabled and email support.

We don’t think you will want to miss VEST 7.0; please contact us to learn more.

For more information about VEST or any other NKI product or service, please contact Neuro Kinetics at +1.412.963.6649 or via e-mail to info@neuro-kinetics.com.

About Neuro Kinetics, Inc.

Neuro Kinetics, Inc. (NKI) is the world leader in eye-tracking technology and non-invasive neuro-otologic diagnostic testing. Central to its product mix and technological advances is the premise that the eye is the portal to the brain. Research has shown the detection of abnormal eye reflexes can indicate the presence of more than 200 diseases and medical conditions.

For more than 25 years, NKI has supplied multi-modal neuro-otologic diagnostic tools to audiologists, ENT’s, neuro-otologists, neuro-ophthalmologists and neurologists around the globe. The company’s patented products include the I-Portal® NOTC (Neuro-Otologic Test Center), I-Portal® VNG (Video Nystagmography) and I-Portal® VOG (Video Oculography), along with related accessories, software, training and support services.

VEST™ 6.10 NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOADING

VEST™ 6.10 Includes New Test Enhancements for Higher Quality Patient Care

Our growing ranks of clinical users around the world know how indispensible Neuro Kinetics’ VEST™ software is to performing neuro-physiologic, neuro-otologic, vestibular and neurological testing through our diagnostic equipment.

So when we release an updated version of the control and analysis software, our users take notice.

Version 6.10 of our VEST software is now available for downloading by warranty and software-subscription customers. Need instructions? E-mail Rich Mosovsky at rmosovsky@neuro-kinetics.com.

The updated 6.10 adds new features, enhances existing ones and correct bugs.

This most significant upgrade is the enhancement of the Dynamic Unilateral Centrifugation with SVV test. It was modified so that the user can collect multiple (two to four) SVV data points during each eccentric position. This allows for separate calculations of mean and standard deviation for each right, center and left patient positions. The results have also been added to the analysis and report feature in VEST.

Version 6.10 also includes improved user interfaces, including:

* The optokinetic test analysis table is now sorted by OKN velocity for easier viewing.

* The analysis simulation (animated playback of eye movement) page has been reorganized and relabeled for easier use during data review.

In addition, 10 bugs have been fixed.

Some of those fixes include:

* The VNG eye video file saving error.

* The upbeat and downbeat nystagmus labeling in the Gaze Horizontal, Gaze Vertical and Spontaneous Nystagmus Tests.

* The SHA Test analysis was modified to delete full cycles instead of partial cycles.

Working with our strategic partners at Bloomsburg University and Gallaudet University, we put this latest version of VEST through the most rigorous and extensive testing of any software version we have ever introduced – part of our commitment to continuous quality improvement.

For more information about VEST or any other NKI product or service, please contact Neuro Kinetics at +1.412.963.6649 or via e-mail to info@neuro-kinetics.com.

About Neuro Kinetics, Inc.

Neuro Kinetics, Inc. (NKI) is the world leader in eye-tracking technology and non-invasive neuro-otologic diagnostic testing. Central to its product mix and technological advances is the premise that the eye is the portal to the brain. Research has shown the detection of abnormal eye reflexes can indicate the presence of more than 200 diseases and medical conditions.

For more than 25 years, NKI has supplied multi-modal neuro-otologic diagnostic tools to audiologists, ENT’s, neuro-otologists, neuro-ophthalmologists and neurologists around the globe. The company’s patented products include the I-Portal® NOTC (Neuro-Otologic Test Center), I-Portal® VNG (Video Nystagmography) and I-Portal® VOG (Video Oculography), along with related accessories, software, training and support services.

For service in Canada call AIM!

NEURO KINETICS PRESENTING NEW BALANCE & DIZZINESS RESEARCH AT AMERICAN BALANCE SOCIETY CONFERENCE

PITTSBURGH (March 3, 2011) — Neuro Kinetics, Inc. (NKI) (www.neuro-kinetics.com), manufacturers of noninvasive medical diagnostic equipment used worldwide to test for vestibular and neurological conditions, said today that it co-presented two research studies at this week’s American Balance Society conference meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Balance and Dizziness Clinical Testing Expanded and Refined

The research continues the company’s push to expand and refine the clinical testing that can be conducted with its medical equipment in the diagnosis of balance and dizziness conditions. Studies suggest that 50 percent of all individuals suffer from balance and equilibrium conditions during their lifetimes. The elderly are particularly vulnerable as falls can lead to devastating life-threatening consequences.

The first paper for the American Balance Society conference detailed the collection of normative patient data using video oculography (VOG) based eye tracking with a rotational (Barany) chair. The paper — co-authored by Dr. Alexander Kiderman, NKI’s chief technology officer, and Dr. Jorge Gonzalez, a professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at Bloomsburg University – reported on the data collection work at Bloomsburg.

Data was collected for four types of rotational tests: Sinusoidal Harmonic Acceleration (SHA), Step Testing, Visual Enhancement (VVOR) and Visual Suppression (VF).

(data can be found on Neuro Kinetics web site: www.neuro-kinetics.com/news_2011abs.aspx.)

The second paper focused on comparing static and dynamic tests of Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) which measure the deviation between a patient’s vertical perception and actual gravitational perception. The study addresses a question in the testing for balance and dizziness disorders about whether or not to consider the static SVV results during the dynamic SVV test.

The paper was co-authored by Dr. Kiderman; along with Dr. Howard Mango and Dr. Cara Makuta, both of the Newport Mesa Audiology Balance & Ear Institute in Newport, California, where the research was conducted.

(Abstract can be found on Neuro Kinetics web site: www.neuro-kinetics.com/news_2011abs.aspx.)

“We’re delighted to be able to offer important new research to the community of balance specialists from around the world,” said J. Howison Schroeder, NKI president and CEO. “Great strides are being made in the understanding of balance and equilibrium disorders and we’re proud to be a leader in expanding the knowledge base.”

ABOUT NEURO KINETICS, INC.

Neuro Kinetics, Inc. (NKI) is the world leader in eye tracking technology and non-invasive neuro-otologic diagnostic testing.

Central to its product mix and technological advances is the premise that the eye is the portal to the brain. Research has shown the detection of abnormal eye reflexes can indicate the presence of over 200 diseases and medical conditions.

For more than 25 years, NKI has supplied comprehensive neuro-otologic diagnostic tools to audiologists, ENT’s, neuro-otologists, neuro-ophthalmologists and neurologists around the globe. The company’s patented products include the I-Portal® NOTC (Neuro-Otologic Test Center), I-Portal® VNG (Video Nystagmography) and I-Portal® VOG (Video Oculography), along with related accessories, software, training and support services.

The Canadian Manufacturer and Supplier of Neuro Kinetics Products in Canada is AIM Instrumentation Ltd.   Contact us at 1 800 444 9386!

Neuro Kinetics Earns Approval from Health Canada to Sell Diagnostic Devices in Canada

Company Appoints AIM Instrumentation & Technologies as Exclusive Canadian Distributor

PR Newswire

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 29, 2010

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Neuro Kinetics, Inc. (NKI) (www.neuro-kinetics.com), manufacturers of noninvasive medical diagnostic equipment used worldwide to test for vestibular and neurological conditions, said today that it has been granted a license from Health Canada to sell three of its devices in Canada for clinical use.

The company previously had sold its equipment in Canada for research purposes only.

The three NKI devices now approved for clinical use by Health Canada’s Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) are its I-Portal® NOTC (Neuro-Otologic Test Center) system, I-Portal® VNG (Video Nystagmography) system and I-Portal® VOG (Video Oculography) system, along with related accessories, software, training and support services.

NKI also said today that it has appointed leading Canadian medical device distributor AIM Instrumentation & Technologies (http://aimtechnologies.ca) as its sole representative in Canada. AIM has offices in Mississauga, Ontario, and Burnaby, British Columbia.

“We are delighted to be able to offer our technology and equipment to hospitals and clinicians across Canada,” said J. Howison Schroeder, NKI president and CEO. “AIM will be a great partner as we aggressively expand in the Canadian market. We expect strong results there.”  Added Vikki MacKay, AIM chief executive officer, “Neuro Kinetics’ products are world class and we are excited to bring them   to Canada. As the Canadian population ages, the need for advanced testing of balance and equilibrium conditions will be increasingly critical to fall prevention among the elderly and those with vestibular conditions. There is a real need in Canada for Neuro Kinetics’ expertise.”

MacKay noted that a number of hospital sales of NKI equipment in Canada have been pending, and with the regulatory approval can now be finalized.

ABOUT NEURO KINETICS, INC.

Neuro Kinetics, Inc. (www.neuro-kinetics.com) is a fast-growing manufacturer of noninvasive medical test equipment used worldwide by audiologists, neurologists, neuro-otologists, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists and other medical specialists in the detection and evaluation of neurological, otological and vestibular disorders. The privately owned company, originating in the 1970s, pioneered the development of vestibular and neuro-otologic testing equipment, including the renowned Barany (rotational) chair. The company’s patented products include the I-Portal® NOTC (Neuro-Otologic Test Center) system, I-Portal® VNG (Video Nystagmography) system and I-Portal® VOG (Video Oculography) system, along with related accessories, software, training and support services. Users include doctors and researchers in universities and government facilities as well as specialists in fields such as audiology, neurology, neuro-otology, ophthalmology and otolaryngology.