Helius Medical Technologies, a medical technology company focused on the treatment of neurological symptoms caused by disease or trauma, announced that ten new patent applications (seven US and three Chinese) have been allowed by the US and Chinese Patent Offices in November and December 2015 building on the already strong patent portfolio of the company. The company has a further 33 patents (22 US and 11 international) pending on its technology in the US and other markets around the world.

“The patents are design and utility patents that will help defend against competitive intrusion into our market and I want to thank Proskauer Rose for its expertise and passion in helping us create a robust IP portfolio for the PoNS device,” said CEO Phil Deschamps.

The PoNS device is a non-invasive means for delivering neurostimulation through the tongue. The PoNS therapy is currently being studied in the United States and Canada for the treatment of balance disorder for subjects with mild to moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), and in Canada for the treatment of gait and balance disorder for subjects with MS.

The PoNS device is believed to be the first non-invasive means for delivering neurostimulation through the tongue. Researchers believe that use of the tongue as a gateway to the brain may be one of the most natural, non-invasive and direct ways to stimulate the brain. The tongue is anatomically unique, being richly innervated by thousands of nerve fibers and interconnected to the brainstem by two major cranial nerves.