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MAKING WAVES WITH ADVANCED AUDITORY TECH
AUDITORY /
Shape-changing Polymers
Shape-changing polymers have emerged as promising materials for neural interface applications. Additionally, Qualia Oto’s polymers have a demonstrated biocompatibility as well as unique softening characteristics, allowing them to remain stiff at room temperature and then becoming compliant upon exposure to physiological temperatures and moisture. The initial stiffness is necessary for reliable handling and surgical implantation, whereas the softening post-implantation minimizes potential tissue scarring and trauma.
In this video, exposure to a higher temperature (i.e., within the ear vs. room temperature) triggers the softening property of our material leading to curling of the originally-straight element; this then leads to gradual curling of the entire electrode array toward the modiolar wall of the scala tympani, in essence hugging the modiolus, significantly reducing risk of trauma and increasing the cochlear implant's efficacy.
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AUDITORY /
Multiplexed TFT Arrays
Through photolithographic microfabrication processes, Qualia Oto is developing novel, matrix-addressed, thin-film transistor (TFT) cochlear implant electrode arrays as a replacement for conventional commercial cochlear implant electrodes based on bundled wires. This new type of intra-cochlear array employs an unprecedented number of electrodes integrated with active electronic components that control the selection and addressing of the electrodes for more precise auditory nerve stimulation and the eventual incorporation of more complex, machine learning-based stimulation.
MEET QUALIA OTO
Qualia Oto's team of researchers, engineers, physicians, academics, and business leaders provides the company a unique ability to produce the next-generation materials and devices demanded by the global auditory market.
OUR SNAPSHOT
Our three co-founders started Qualia Oto in 2017 based on research and expertise from their academic and medical careers. That fall, co-founder Dr. Kenneth Lee (MD-PhD) was the keynote speaker at the Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implants, earning industry recognition and a first contract for the company the following year. Since then, Qualia Oto's growth has included expanded industry services, onboarding clinical expert advisors, conducting international research, completing national grants, and expanding the team and board.
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HEARING THE FUTURE
The World Health Organization estimates that 5% of the global population has some form of disabling hearing loss. That's 466 million individuals who need solutions – a number expected to nearly double over the coming three decades. Qualia Oto is positioned to push forward aural solutions, whether through improved capacities of cochlear implants, superior midle- and inner-ear drug delivery methods, or individually tailored auditory devices such as hearing aids, earbuds, and earphones.
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MEDICAL /
Microtip Drug Delivery
Qualia Oto is designing arrays of biocompatible, dissolvable microtips that have potential to deliver drugs to the middle- and inner-ear with μm spatial precision and μL dosing capabilities. Doing so will provide a more consistent and reliable method of drug delivery for successful treatment. In addition, these microtips will be able to bypass current inner-ear space limitations and the related surgical complexity.
OUR TECHNOLOGIES
QUALIA OTO:
HEAR FOR YOU
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NIH Awards Qualia Oto $277k Phase I SBIR Grant
"We are thrilled for this opportunity to work on such a new and innovative cochlear implant technology. The CI market has been lacking major developments in electrode implementation for the last three decades. Qualia Oto’s research and development, accelerated by this funding, has the potential to provide such needed advancements."
– Qualia Oto CTO Dr. Stuart Cogan
ACIA Conference All Ears for Dr. Lee
"Dr. Lee's talk had quite an impact on the audience. I could sense their rapt attention as he showed the time-lapse video of our electrodes re-positioning in a plastic cochlea model after insertion; I look forward to continuing to work with our partners to demonstrate the capabilities of our novel electrode."
– Qualia Oto CEO Connie Manz
Dr. Benjamin Lund Joins Technical Advisory Board
"I am excited to join Qualia Oto’s Technical Advisory Board and contribute to the development of their groundbreaking cochlear implant technologies. I believe that my experience in the field of polymer chemistry can assist Qualia Oto in developing enhanced products to the benefit of the hard-of-hearing community."
– Dr. Benjamin Lund
Dr. Kenneth Lee Presents at the North Texas CI Symposium
"By incorporating Qualia Oto’s innovative polymer science with cochlear implants, we propose a novel strategy that allows insertion of the array with minimal trauma and ultimate positioning of the electrodes in an optimal intra-cochlear location."
- Dr. Kenneth Lee
Qualia Oto Research Highlighted in Publication
Dr. Walter Voit, Dr. Stuart Cogan, and Dr. Jimin Maeng all contributed to a recent publication in Advanced Materials Technologies. The article presents preliminary work on designing high-channel-count neural stimulation electrode arrays using a novel approach leveraging electronic circuits typically used in the AMOLED (active-matrix organic light emitting diode) display technology.
Dr. Lee Selected as Pediatric Group's Medical Director
In his new role, Dr. Lee will oversee the budgeting and operations for the outpatient clinics of the UTSW Pediatric Surgical and Medical Specialists - Plano Children’s Campus; he also will be involved in directing strategies to improve patient volumes and level of services provided to the local community.
APSCI Welcomes Dr. Kenneth Lee
The 14th Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implants and Related Sciences took place in Seoul, South Korea. CMO Dr. Kenneth Lee gave a Featured Talk at the conference on the potential of minimizing trauma in cochlear implantation via Qualia Oto's novel technologies. Dr. Lee noted that it was truly rewarding to see the growing excitement about the company's technology.
Dr. Peter Roland Joins Board of Directors
Dr. Roland brings extensive experience as a seasoned ENT surgeon who has been a pioneer and a prominent voice in the CI space for nearly 40 years. "I don’t think I can overstate the value that Dr. Roland brings to Qualia Oto. We are committed to pushing forward the quality of cochlear implants and improving hearing capabilities for future generations."
– Michael Seeligson, Board Chair
As a biomedical device company passionate about improving the lives of individuals through better aural technologies, Qualia Oto utilizes our core innovations to produce top-quality, shape-changing polymers and matrix-addressed electrode arrays embedded in devices for individuals' medical and personal needs.