Wicab Announces European Market Approval for its

Non-Invasive Assistive Aid for the Blind

Middleton, WI, March 19, 2013- Wicab, Inc.
announced today that the BrainPort V100 device
has been approved for sale in the European
Economic Area. The BrainPort V100 is a non-surgical,
non-invasive assistive aid which translates visual
images of the users environment into electro-tactile
signals displayed on the users tongue. With
supervised training, users learn to interpret the
electro-tactile signals to perceive shape, size,
location, and motion of surrounding objects. The
BrainPort V100 is intended for use as an electronic
assistive device for individuals who are profoundly
blind (light perception or no light perception). It is
specifically indicated for use as an aid in orientation,
mobility, object recognition, and spot reading. The device is limited to investigational use in the
United States.
Robert Beckman, Wicab CEO, indicated the BrainPort V100 will initially be available in Germany,
the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy. The company plans to establish a demonstration program
so that prospective customers can try the device for up to several days at a nominal cost, with no
obligation to purchase the device. Wicab is simultaneously seeking philanthropic partners to help
make this technology available to potential users that otherwise cannot afford to purchase the
device.
After over 15 years of research at Wicab, we are very excited to be able to introduce the
BrainPort V100 to the general public in the European Economic Area, stated Mr. Beckman. The
technology behind the BrainPort V100 was first developed by the late Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita,
Wicabs co-founder and former University of Wisconsin-Madison professor, who is widely known
for his work related to brain plasticity and sensory substitution. Potential advantages of the
BrainPort V100 are that it can be used regardless of the cause or duration of blindness, and does
not require an intact optic nerve in order to function, explains Mr. Beckman, Individuals blinded
by congenital and acquired causes may use the BrainPort V100.
According to Mr. Beckman, another potential advantage is its simplicity. Our non-surgical solution
allows users to save their eyes, in case future developments in stem cell research offer better
alternatives for people who are totally blind.
8313 Greenway Blvd. Suite 100 Middleton, WI 53562 USA Phone: 608-829-4500 Fax: 608-829-4501
www.wicab.com

Additional information related to Wicab, Inc. and the BrainPort V100 device can be found on the
company website, www.wicab.com. Any specific questions related to sales or distribution of the
device should be directed via email to infoEU@wicab.com.
Wicab, Inc. is a Wisconsin-based medical device company dedicated to providing innovative
assistive devices for the blind based on sensory substitution technology originally developed by Dr.
Paul Bach-y-Rita at the University of Wisconsin.

8313 Greenway Blvd. Suite 100 Middleton, WI 53562 USA Phone: 608-829-4500 Fax: 608-829-4501
www.wicab.com