Devices & Diagnostics

MindReader headset designed to detect concussions in athletes (video)

Cerora's portable diganostic device to measure brain activity is being developed for high school and college athletics to detect sports-related injuries such as a concussion.

A device to measure brain activity for concussions, a patient medication adherence tool and a LED flashlight embedded in a cane were among the products pitched at a recent early stage venture event. Five companies made presentations, but there was not one technical meltdown. That’s because PowerPoint presentations were banned.

Villanova Entrepreneurs Network founder Richard J. Anthony Sr. says software, particularly PowerPoint, tends to be used as a crutch by startup presentations and are generally a distraction. He founded the early stage ventures and angel investors program 12 years ago, but it became affiliated with the Villanova University Center for Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship last year. Anthony is also entrepreneur-in-residence at the university in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and runs a management consulting firm, The Solutions Network.

Cerora’s portable diagnostic device to measure brain activity is being developed for high school and college athletics to detect sports-related injuries such as a concussion. CEO Adam Simon also believes the technology would be of interest to ski resorts to aid in diagnosing head trauma in ski accidents. It is embarking on studies of the device to get 510(k) clearance in the U.S. and and CE Mark approval in Europe.

The MindReader headset device has an EEG built into it and is intended to communicate with personal computers, tablets, and smartphones running the company’s software.

Sports-related concussions have come under the spotlight in recent years with new information that they can lead to debilitating neurological problems later in life. States have adopted legislation requiring high school athletes that suffer head injuries to be promptly removed from games and diagnosed before being able to play again.

But CEO Adam Simon says the company is exploring additional uses for the device such as for Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, as well as helping to measure the effects of certain medications on the brain. The company was previously called Brain Computer Interface.

Among the other medical device and healthcare companies pitching were 1DocWay, Mind Field Solutions and Technical Vision. Villanova Entrepreneurs Network’s next event is September 12.

Adam Simon, Cerora CEO

 

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