ARTICLE SUMMARY:
NeuraSignal's platform technology expedites diagnosis of stroke and other neurological issues using a specialized ultrasound modality enhanced with robotics.
Understanding the complex workings of the brain necessitates a variety of diagnostic tools. While X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs provide detailed static images of the brain's structure, and EEG electrodes monitor its electrical activity, transcranial Doppler (TCD) stands out as the sole method for measuring cerebral blood flow in real time. Introduced in the 1980s, TCD, an advanced ultrasound technique, has become indispensable to neurosurgeons and neurologists for the management of numerous neurological disorders. Its significance is underscored by its inclusion in numerous medical guidelines and its requirement for accreditation of comprehensive stroke centers and thrombectomy-capable stroke centers by the Joint Commission, highlighting its vital role in neurological care.
Robert Hamilton, PhD, CEO and co-founder of NeuraSignal, was first introduced to TCD during his graduate research at UCLA, which focused on gaining a better understanding of cerebral blood flow in patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). As Hamilton performed rounds with neurosurgeons, he realized that a layer of machine learning applied to TCD could enhance both its clinical utility and the quality of care. This idea evolved into a mission to democratize access to cranial blood flow data through robotics during a research trip to Malawi to study cerebral malaria and sickle cell disease.
“Applying data science to any information will yield better results. If we can use robotics to get the information and use data science to interpret it, the result is a complete solution for measuring blood flow,” Hamilton says, explaining that automating the signal detection could bring TCD capability from an exclusive set of clinics to anywhere in the world.
