Victhom Human Bionics Inc., announced the filing of a patent application for the detection and treatment of a physiological disorder that most likely leads to sudden unexplainable death in epileptic patients during seizure. Victhom has recently filed a patent application relating to a method and device aimed at preventing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) using its neuromodulation platform.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder, affecting about 1 per cent of the population worldwide. Current treatments that aim at treating seizures, include neuromodulation devices for stimulation of the vagus nerve by Cyberonics and a deep brain stimulation product, Medtronic's Intercept Epilepsy Control System, which is currently in clinical trials. "The death rate among epileptics is about three times that of age-matched cohorts. This statistic may be explained by consequences of epilepsy, but in a surprising number of cases, there is no obvious cause of death", said Nader Kameli, chief operating officer of Victhom's Neurobionix division. Sudden death from unknown causes occurs in epileptics at a rate 24 times that of the general population. In patients with severe, refractory epilepsy, SUDEP may account for 50 per cent of all deaths. While there is no toxicological or anatomical explanation for SUDEP, evidence suggests a respiratory failure during seizure.

Research has revealed that SUDEP could be avoided by preventing and/or treating both apnoea and seizure, ensuring normal recovery from either or both events. The monitoring by our technology of multiple physiological indicators predisposing to SUDEP, like apnoea and seizure activity, could be used, in combination with the treatment of seizures, to detect the need for and then apply a treatment for SUDEP. "We believe that our ability to detect and treat apnoea in a timely fashion by using our neuromodulation platform could prove to be lifesaving for these patients. With this add-on therapy, we believe existing devices would not only be able to treat seizures but also prevent SUDEP that would result from respiratory dysfunction of failure", said Kameli. He further said: "The body of knowledge in post mortem analysis of these deaths suggests that abnormal respiratory patterns during seizure may have led to an unrecoverable condition possibly causing death".

As Victhom develops its scientific knowledge in the field of respiration and respiratory disorders, it continues to discover new and novel approaches to treat various conditions using its neuromodulation technology for detection and treatment. The current patent application is another sign of continued progress in this field.

With the recent CE Mark approval of the Neurostep System, Victhom is focused on the plans to introduce that product to the European market late 2009. Further developments in apnoea and respiratory therapy will continue at the research level. Victhom plans in partnering with leaders in the field of epilepsy treatment to complete the development and introduction of this therapy to the market.

Victhom discovers, develops and manufactures bionic devices involved in the treatment of a variety of physical and physiological dysfunctions. Victhom's Neurobionix division focuses on the development and commercialization of technologies and products involving implantable devices that feature neurosensing and neurostimulation components, integrated with artificial intelligence.