Yi-Kai Lo, PhD
Co-founder & CEO, Aneuvo
Abstract
Innovations in SCI Therapy: Non-invasive Spinal Neuromodulation for Motor Function Improvement
(with Chris Mason-Hale & Rebecca Martin, OTR/L, OTD, CPAM)
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in permanent neurological deficit. Individuals with SCI may lose sensation, mobility, or autonomic functions such as bladder and bowel control as signal transmission from the brain to the rest of the body is completely or partially lost at the level of the spinal cord lesion. However, key planning, coordination, and effector centers above and below the injured spinal segment remain intact. This provides an opportunity to use electrical neuromodulation to restore function by enabling intact neural circuitries residing in the spinal cord, with the goal of improving quality of life for individuals with SCI. In this presentation, Dr. Yi-Kai Lo will discuss ExaStim, an investigational non-invasive spinal neuromodulation system developed by Aneuvo, and Dr. Rebecca Martin will discuss the potential clinical benefit of using transcutaneous spinal stimulation as a treatment to SCI.
Bio
Yi-Kai is an entrepreneur, engineer, and scientist who started his career as an integrated circuit designer and then eventually took a deep dive into the interdisciplinary field of neuroscience, neuroengineering, and bioelectronic medicine. His objective was to investigate underlying biological mechanisms and then develop and validate relevant new devices and technologies. In 2016, he co-founded Niche Biomedical, now Aneuvo, a company dedicated to developing bioelectronic treatments for diseases and isnjuries incurable through pharmaceutical agents. As the Co-founder and CEO of the company, he has built a team with complementary skills and domain knowledge in hardware/firmware/software engineering, medical device development, clinical and medical science, and FDA regulatory processes. Yi-Kai is excited to be leading a company that develops cutting-edge medical technologies for patients in need to improve their quality of life.
