Timeline of Progress
Mission & History
The Alfred Mann Foundation has been working on some of the most challenging medical problems for over a quarter of a century.
2011
RFM Clinical Trials
Clinical trials with the RFM are planned for patients suffering from dysphagia as a result of head and neck cancer and for patients with upper limb hemiplegia as a result of traumatic brain injury
Infusion Systems
Clinical trials with the Infusion Systems drug delivery system are launched for patients with back pain
2010
Infusion Systems, Inc.
Infusion Systems, Inc. and its implantable drug delivery technology is acquired by AMF
2008
RFM Clinical Trials
2008-2009 – AMF pursues clinical trials with the RFM on lower limb applications for patients with stroke and spinal cord injuries
2004
Bioness, Inc
Bioness, Inc. is established and granted a license to use technology for rehabilitation applications.
2003
IMES
AMF, Illinois Institute of Technology and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago form a partnership to develop an Implantable MyoElectric Sensor (IMES) system that could be used to control prosthetic limbs
RFM Clinical Trials
2003-2005 – clinical trials with the RF microstimulator (RFM) device are conducted in applications relating to obstructive sleep apnea, shoulder subluxation, and post-stroke upper limb hemiplegia
2001
BION® Developed
AMF licenses microstimulator technology to Advanced Bionics for certain medical applications. Advanced Bionics develops a battery-powered microstimulator device called BION®, which is used in clinical trials for urinary incontinence. Boston Scientific later obtains this license and develops a BION® application to treat migraine headache
1999
BPM Implant
AMF begins development of a battery-powered microstimulator (BPM) implant, which will have a rechargeable battery, and high-speed two-way telemetry.
1996
MRG Formed
Medical Research Group (MRG) is formed to work on the long-term glucose sensor, one of AMF’s founding projects
1993
Advanced Bionics Formed
Advanced Bionics is formed and receives the license to manufacture and distribute the Clarion® Cochlear Implant
1991
Microstimulator
AMF and its partners deliver the first prototype of the implantable microstimulator device, which is powered and controlled using radio frequency (RF) and is encased in a glass capsule. A subsequent iteration of the RF-powered microstimulator (RFM) employs a stronger hermetic casing made of ceramic
1989
Neurostimulator
In collaboration with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Queens University in Canada, AMF begins development of a miniature implantable neurostimulator device. AMF works on the hermetically sealed case, IIT on circuitry, and Queens on communication protocol
1986
Clarion® Cochlear Implant
Together with the University of California San Francisco and The Research Triangle Institute, AMF works on the enabling technology for what will become the Clarion® Cochlear Implant
1985
Alfred Mann Foundation Founded
Alfred Mann Foundation established to bridge basic research in medicine and to create products that filled unmet and poorly-met needs.
Learn More About AMF
The Story of Alfred Mann
Alfred Mann's dream of creating a foundation to develop revolutionary medical devices came after many years of success in the medical industry.
The People of AMF
AMF has a diverse and uniquely qualified workforce, employing people from more than 20 countries, with more than half holding at least one graduate degree.
Timeline of Progress
Since its founding in 1985, the Alfred Mann Foundation has developed a record of success in commercializing its technology.
