São Paulo, Brazil – A significant advancement in medical technology has emerged from Brazil, with the company brain4care developing a non-invasive sensor that accurately measures intracranial pressure (ICP). A recent study published in the journal npj Digital Medicine highlights the technology’s superior performance compared to existing non-invasive methods.
Researchers from the University of São Paulo, the University of Cambridge, Emory University, and brain4care collaborated on the study, which involved a large patient cohort. The findings revealed that brain4care’s technology demonstrated the lowest error in estimating ICP values among all available non-invasive techniques.
“The study included the largest number of patients and showed that the technology we developed had the lowest error in estimating the value of intracranial pressure among all the non-invasive methods already available in the world,” stated Gustavo Frigieri, scientific director of brain4care and a study author.
The technology utilizes a sensor placed on the patient’s head to record nanometric skull expansions during each cardiac cycle. This data is then processed in real-time by an artificial intelligence platform, generating a wave that reflects volume and ICP variations. Unlike traditional methods that focus on numerical ICP values, brain4care’s approach analyzes the morphology of the ICP pulse, enabling the detection of changes before they manifest in numerical readings.
“This understanding has been consolidated worldwide,” Frigieri explained. “Invasive ICP is reactive, and brain4care is proactive because it allows us to act in advance.”
By providing real-time insights into ICP trends and morphology, the system empowers doctors to intervene earlier and more accurately, potentially improving patient outcomes in critical cases. The technology’s effectiveness has been validated in over 100 published scientific articles, with the latest study further solidifying its accuracy.
The system’s portability and ease of use allow for application in various settings, including ICUs, medical clinics, outpatient facilities, and emergency departments, expanding access to crucial ICP monitoring. This is particularly beneficial in cases of head trauma, where rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential.
“I always say that we’re not going to replace invasive ICP, but we will be able to determine who really needs it,” Frigieri said. “We want to make sure that the majority of patients are treated before they become critical, but that those who need this type of intervention can receive it safely. At the same time, this will help to optimize the use of resources.”
brain4care has received regulatory approvals from ANVISA in Brazil and the FDA in the United States, and it is currently deployed in over 85 institutions in Brazil and expanding internationally. The company continues to gather data to further refine its technology and aims to provide robust evidence of its ability to accurately estimate numerical ICP values.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided in the source material. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers should consult with healthcare professionals for medical advice. The information presented here should not be interpreted as a substitute for professional medical guidance. The technology described is subject to ongoing research and development, and its effectiveness may vary.