Dexter, MI--Ultrashort pulsed laser and spectroscopy instruments manufacturer Clark-MXR was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to further develop the laser tools, facilities, and protocols needed to produce multi-electrode cochlear implant arrays using known biocompatible materials. Building on its successful Phase I SBIR program, Clark-MXR will use its laser direct-write micromachining technology to produce a robust, high-quality, reliable cochlear implant electrode array that is functionally similar to those in clinical use today. Clark-MXR anticipates that this new technology will eliminate failures caused by embrittlement as well as enable higher functionality at lower cost.

Clark-MXR president and CEO William Clark says, "We anticipate that this program will improve health for the deaf community. You need only search for 'cochlear implant baby' on youtube.com to understand why we feel this endeavor is an important application of our manufacturing technology--especially for children in their formative years."

Supporting the NIH mission to reduce the burdens of illness and disability, Clark-MXR says that this program will result in a substantial improvement in quality, performance, and size of cochlear implants, laying the foundation for production of a broad spectrum of neural implants serving a wide range of medical needs.

SOURCE: Clark-MXR; www.cmxr.com/resources/SBIR_Release.pdf