New Zealand to propel development of world-first brain micro implant
A $6 million cash injection into Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) spin-off Kitea is a significant step toward scaling clinical studies and launching the world's first implantable long-term brain pressure sensor into global markets. It is developed to be implanted into the brains of patients with hydrocephalus and based on research by the Implantable Devices Group led by Professor Simon Malpas.
Without treatment, hydrocephalus is a fatal condition caused by an increase in fluid around the brain. Clinical trials will bring the brain pressure sensor closer to becoming the first fully implanted electronic medical device designed in New Zealand, similar to a cochlear implant or pacemaker.
Once FDA-approved, the sensor would alleviate the significant anxiety and suffering experienced by parents of children with the disorder, as well as highlight the potential of remote monitoring of chronic conditions wherever a patient lives, and ultimately, the means of providing more equitable healthcare.
Investment in medical devices will enable NZ-based clinical trials and accelerate wireless technology's commercialization by 2025, providing peace of mind and early warning of blockages, preventing unnecessary hospitalizations.