Cyberkinetics expects patent for spinal cord stimulator

Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems Inc. of Foxborough said it expects to receive a patent that will allow the use of its Andara implantable stimulator to treat older spinal cord injuries.

Cyberkinetics already has a patent that covers the use of the Andara for people with recent spinal cord injuries.

As a result of receiving notification from the US Patent and Trademark Office, Cyberkinetics said today it now expects to receive an additional patent that would allow the device to be used to help people with long-ago injuries; the new patent would also allow a combination approach using both Andara's stimulation and certain drug therapies.

The Andara Oscillating Field Stimulator is surgically implanted for 14 weeks in people with spinal cord injuries, the company said.

Stimulator leads are attached to the spine above and below the injury, causing a regeneration of nerve fibers across the injury, Cyberkinetics said.

"This technology may one day allow us to provide sensation and motor function to large numbers of people living with spinal cord injuries today," Cyberkinetics chief executive Timothy Surgenor said in a statement.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)