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It was a productive year for our clinical customers. We have noted 27 new publications in 2009 and the first few months of 2010. In our inaugural edition of our Clinical eNewsletter we are focusing on advances in epilepsy treatment. This was a major focus for our customer base, with 12 of the 27 articles relating to epilepsy. Several customer posters also focused on epilepsy at December’s Boston meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES).
In two of the AES posters (Lantz, Brodbeck, Seeck, Tucker, & Michel, 2009; Yamazaki, Fujimoto, & Yamamoto, 2009), dense array EEG (dEEG) was again shown to be superior to conventional EEG in its ability to accurately localize spike data. Lantz et al. found that the distance between the source focus location and the clinically determined focus location increased as the EEG channel count decreased (from good correspondence with 256-channel dEEG to poor correspondence with 32-channel EEG). In the report by Yamazaki et al., dEEG (256 and 128 channel) data yielded more focal localization results than that of the conventional (19 channel) data from the same patient. In a third AES poster (Spinelli et al., 2009), dEEG source imaging was shown to have a sensitivity and specificity for localization that was comparable to or better than those obtained with positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).
The localization of the epileptogenic region using dEEG data has been shown to be superior to the localization results based on conventional EEG. How does this impact the guidance of intracranial electrode placement? For the answer, we look to 2010.
Read the full article.
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In This Issue:
2009 Year in Review EGI looks back at a wonderfully productive year.
New LTM Recommendations EGI extends maximum recording time.
Grand Rounds EGI Science and Support visit clinical customer sites.
EEG/fMRI Training Workshop Join EGI for a free EEG/fMRI training workshop in June.
New Book EGI customer serves as editor on new key book.
Education EGI offers training courses in many countries.
Where to See EGI Conferences and events around the world.
EGI Welcomes New Hire Dr Catherine Dam joins EGI's sales team.
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EGI announces new guidelines for Long-Term Monitoring (LTM) recordings with our Geodesic EEG System 300 (GES 300) and HydroCel Geodesic Sensor Net 120 LTM (HCGSN 120 LTM).
Upon the completion of systematic skin safety testing with our 256-channel adult (small, medium, and large) and pediatric large sizes, we are increasing our maximum recording time to 24 hours with a single net application.
Additional testing is underway for our Nets of other channel counts (128, 64, and 32) and sizes. Until that testing is complete and EGI releases new guidelines for these nets, they remain covered by the 12 hour maximum recording duration.
Multiday recordings are feasible by removing and reapplying the Nets following EGI's standard procedures for LTM recordings. A new quick reference placard will soon be available to customers. As with all electrodes applied to the skin, each patient should be evaluated periodically during recording to verify that excessive skin irritation is not occurring. This is particularly true with young patients whose skin is not fully mature. The guide includes a maintenance schedule for long-term recordings and procedures for assessing skin condition and data quality.
The new HCGSN 120 LTM session maintenance placard joins EGI's series of placards, which are designed to improve clinical workflow. For a list of available Net placards for clinical customers, see below. These materials represent one of the many layers of EGI customer support. In addition to EGI’s standard support, which includes phone and email support, installation and training visits, full system documentation, and more, EGI also offers educational events, podcasts, white papers, training videos, and more.
EGI's quick reference Net placards include:
- HCGSN 120 LTM Application Guide
- HCGSN 120 LTM Head Wrapping Guide
- HCGSN 120 LTM Removal Guide
- HCGSN 120 LTM Cleaning Guide
- HCGSN 120 LTM Session Maintenance Guide
- HCGSN Routine Application Guide
- HCGSN Routine Cleaning Guide
- HCGSN Sizing Chart
- HCGSN Disinfectant Mixing Guide
- HCGSN Channel Map (versions for 32, 64, 128, and 256 channels)
Request a Quotation
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In the latter part of 2009, EGI offered clinical customers a unique opportunity whereby EGI’s epilepsy and source imaging scientist, Dr Göran Lantz, and lead clinical support engineer, Marie Terrill, visited customer sites for a round of targeted educational talks and training modules. The content for these visits focused on reviewing epilepsy data, with an emphasis on interictal spike data (using site-specific data where possible). Also covered was the research use of source analysis techniques using Net Station and GeoSource.
Through these in-depth data reviews and training sessions, Dr Lantz and Ms Terrill had the opportunity to exchange ideas with all team members across each customer’s site. This dedicated time allowed both Dr Lantz and Ms Terrill to address specific questions about the software and allowed Dr Lantz to present his cross-validation studies of GeoSource and source localization methods of epilepsy data.
Three US clinical sites took advantage of this opportunity: Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, OR; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, OH; and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in Atlanta, GA. If you would like to schedule a training visit at your facility, contact EGI Support.
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Join us on Monday, June 7, for a free EEG/fMRI workshop. This event is being held in Barcelona, Spain, in conjunction with the annual Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) meeting.
Past speakers include Don Tucker and Stacey Crane of EGI, Mark Cohen of the University of California at Los Angeles, and Giorgio Bonmassar of the Harvard Medical School. This year's speakers will be listed soon.
For more information and to register, see our Education page.
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Despite challenging economic conditions, 2009 was EGI’s best year ever. Net sales were $8.2 M. Total revenues reached $9.5 M, with a modestly profitable bottom line. This strong performance represents a 10% growth in sales over the prior year. International sales, particularly in the European Union and Asia, rose sharply and accounted for approximately 50% of EGI’s total net sales in 2009.
Important to EGI’s strong momentum in 2009 was the announcement of a number of new products, including GES 300 MR, which is the world’s first truly high channel count EEG system for use in MR environments, and the new GEM product line for ambulatory and routine EEG applications.
Critical to EGI’s success is the success of our customers. In 2009, EGI’s clinical and research customers published their work in more than 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Particularly exciting was the growth in the number of clinical publications employing EGI technology in core clinical applications, such as epilepsy, pre surgical planning, and autism.
In addition to customer publications, customers have supported EGI with their overall customer satisfaction, professional referral rate, continued reorders, and constructive clinical and research feedback for certified and beta products. Commenting on EGI’s 2009 success, EGI President Dr Ann Bunnenberg said, “The strong support we received from our research and clinical customers worldwide in 2009 has put EGI in a strong position to continue reinvesting to expand its product line, support, and training capabilities.”
“EGI’s continuing investment in new product development and feature enhancement for existing products will result in a rich stream of product releases and new features for our customers in the upcoming months,” Dr. Bunnenberg added. “We at EGI deeply appreciate the support of the international neurology and neuroscience communities in making it possible for EGI to continue to grow even during a difficult economic period.”
In 2010, EGI will continue to engage in research that leads to innovative products for EEG and advanced brain imaging. The success of EGI scientists in securing funding from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and Small Business Innovation Research programs will allow aggressive innovation to support new products. EGI customers can expect a regular progression of upgrades and advances to keep them on the cutting edge of scientific technology.
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 EGI recommends Electrical Neuroimaging, a new book published in 2009 by Cambridge University Press and edited by luminaries in the field, including EGI customer Dr Christoph Michel. This work provides a solid introduction to the basics of both multichannel EEG and event-related potential (ERP) data recording and spatio-temporal analysis of the electrostatic potential. This book offers practical examples and validated analysis techniques and provides exposure for clinicians interested in new imaging techniques and researchers interested in integrating their work with other clinically relevant data types.
Electrical Neuroimaging Edited by:
- Christoph M. Michel - Université de Genève
- Thomas Koenig - University Hospital of Psychiatry, Berne, Switzerland
- Daniel Brandeis - Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Switzerland and Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany
- Lorena R. R. Gianotti - The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zürich, Switzerland
- Jiří Wackermann - Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Contributions from the editors as well as:
- Carsten Allefeld - Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Florin Amzica - Université de Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- Daniel Brandeis - University of Zürich, Switzerland and Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany
- Lester Melie-García - Cuban Neuroscience Center, Havana, Cuba
- Roberto D. Pascual-Marqui - The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zürich, Switzerland
- Kensuke Sekihara - Department of Systems Design and Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
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EGI offers a number of educational courses each year.
For our clinical customers, this year we are in the process of scheduling a Physician Review Training course. This course is likely to be in the eastern US during the summer of 2010. When the details are set, we will send out an announcement and make information available on our web site. Email us at
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to be added to the courses’ email list.
Since a number of our clinical customers have expressed interest in research applications, the following research courses are also available this year.
EGI research training courses in Chile (March 8-13) and Germany (May 10-15) are six day courses. Dates will be announced soon for courses in the United Kingdom and China.
EGI’s Summer School (at our world headquarters in Eugene, Oregon, USA) provides the following EEG practicum’s, at three levels of expertise using EGI’s systems:
Basic - August 2-4, 2010
Intermediate: August 5-6, 2010
Advanced: August 9-11, 2010
For more information and to register, see our Education page.
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- March 21-24: International Society on Infant Studies (ICIS), Baltimore, MD, USA (Booth 12)
- April 10-17: American Academy of Neurology (AAN), Toronto, ON, Canada (Booth 1304)
- April 21-24: Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS), Montreal, QC, Canada
- May 1-5: American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Philadelphia, PA, USA (Booth 1644)
- May 1-7: International Society for MR in Medicine (ISMRM) and the European Society for MR in Medicine and Biology (ESMRMB), Stockholm, Sweden (Booth 375)
- May 19-22: International Epilepsy Colloquium (IEC), Cleveland, OH, USA
- June 5-9: Associated Professional Sleep Society (APSS), San Antonio, TX, USA
Full Conference List
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We are pleased to announce the latest hire to our growing EGI sales team. Dr Cathrine Dam is a published neuroscientist, and brings clinical experience as well as a broad range of technical skills across various ERP and fMRI systems. She has worked in both academia and the private sector, and has a strong sense of commitment to customer satisfaction. Please join us in welcoming Cathrine to our EGI Team of Sales Account Managers.
Interested in an exciting career with EGI? See our Employment page.
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