Brief History
The Christchurch Neurotechnology Research Programme (‘NeuroTech’ & NeuroTechNZ™) was formally established in February 2001 (although its had a long informal history) as a formal joint venture between Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB – Medical Physics & Bioengineering [MPBE], Neurology), University of Otago, Christchurch (UOC – Medicine), and University of Canterbury (UC – Electrical & Computer Engineering [ECE], Psychology). NeuroTech was initially based in MPBE at Christchurch Hospital but moved into the new Van der Veer Institute for Parkinson’s and Brain Research at 66 Stewart Street in May 2004. It remains administratively under, but autonomous from, MPBE. .
What is Neurotechnology?
Neurotechnology can be broadly defined as ‘Technology for investigation, quantification, monitoring, and treatment of the nervous system and its disorders’.
NeuroTech’s vision
To focus on neurotechnology concerning the brain via three broad long-term objectives:
▪ Undertake cutting-edge research leading to the development and validation of innovative neurotechnology, particularly techniques and devices aimed at accident prevention and improved rehabilitation which can ‘make a difference’ to humankind by preventing loss of life and injury and by maximizing quality of life.
▪ Maximize the health and financial benefits of the innovative neurotechnology through commercialisation – IP protection, pre-market prototype development and validation, and product manufacture and sales on the global market.
▪ Maintain an awareness of other research projects in the Van der Veer Institute and, where appropriate, foster collaborations with researchers so as to identify and stimulate basic and applied brain research which might lead to potential products suitable for channelling through NeuroTech for commercialisation.