TechEn Awarded DARPA Funding to Advance Brain Monitoring Device =

March 25, 2004 11:02 AM US Eastern Timezone

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 2004--TechEn Inc. has received funding f=
rom
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) for the development of
Continuous Brain Monitoring. TechEn, an electronic design center, received =
the award
for advanced research and further development of a real-time, wireless brai=
n
monitoring device, which utilizes near-infrared spectroscopy technology (NI=
RS). The
device measures the change in blood oxygen, allowing researchers to monitor=
brain
activity non-invasively and continuously. This technology offers significan=
t potential
for improved understanding of brain functions and medical disorders, rangin=
g from
stroke rehabilitation to depression.


With over one billion nerve cells in the brain, medical researchers collec=
t and analyze
massive amounts of data, often requiring patients to remain motionless as i=
n an MRI.
TechEn's device allows patients to be more comfortable and even mobile, per=
forming
various functions as the device collects data continuously in real time. Th=
is allows
researchers to study how specific events affect activity in the brain.

William Johnson, Chief Technology Officer of TechEn, commented on the work=
, "The
funding provided by DARPA represents significant investment, paving the way=
for
breakthroughs in brain research. Within a very short period of time, we hav=
e made
great strides in technological advancements in brain monitoring instruments=
."
TechEn's CEO, Buzz DiMartino, added, "this technology has many non-medical =

applications as well, including diverse opportunities in market research, s=
ecurity and
stress management. This award further confirms DARPA's commitment to advanc=
ing
technology for cutting edge solutions." TechEn is working in collaboration =
with Dr.
David Boas, Assistant Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massa=
chusetts
General Hospital-Martinos Center, Optical Imaging Laboratory.

About TechEn

TechEn is a full-service Electronic Product Design Center with capabilitie=
s ranging
from technology design to product manufacturing. TechEn's core competencies=

include hardware and mixed signal design, PCB development, wireless technol=
ogy,
embedded firmware and software. TechEn is a third party developer for Analo=
g
Devices, ATMEL, TI and Microchip. Since 1982, TechEn has worked with medica=
l,
consumer and industrial clients, successfully developing products requiring=
advanced
custom technology.

About DARPA

DARPA is the central research and development organization for the Departm=
ent of
Defense (DoD). It manages and directs selected basic and applied R&D projec=
ts for
DoD. DARPA pursues research and technology, where risk and payoff are both =
very
high and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional milita=
ry roles
and missions.

Contacts =


TechEn
Paul DiMartino, 508-478-0042
pad@...
http://www.techen.com

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