Standard stimulation methods for monitoring comatose patients can cause injuries, and because stimulation is delivered by hand, it can limit the reliability of exams and negatively impact patient care. Dignity Health aims to end this practice through the development of electrical stimulator technology that can activate pain receptors in a standardized fashion without risk of injury. Barrow Neurological Institute plans to submit an FDA 510(k) application in late 2024.
Toward that goal, Barrow Neurological Institute has joined the WearTech Applied Research Center of the Partnership for Economic Innovation, a passionate collective of business and community leaders dedicated to accelerating Arizona’s economic opportunities.
The partnership will support Barrow Neurological Institute through clinical trials and product manufacturing of a device that uses neurological stimulation to monitor comatose patients. Through Arizona Commerce Authority’s fund supporting applied research, $250,000 has been awarded for the project. Matching funds are provided by two research grants from the Barrow Neurological Foundation totaling $219,944.00, and a seed grant from the Flinn Foundation totaling $100,000.00.
“Arizona’s bioscience ecosystem is surpassing national competitors because healthcare companies like Dignity Health’s Barrow Neurological Institute are finding new ways to provide better care for patients and better technology solutions for providers,” says Kathleen Lee, director of Applied Research Centers for the Partnership for Economic Innovation. “Capitalizing on this momentum by powering biotech and health innovations will fuel the creation of more next-generation inventions and commercially viable technologies here in the state.”
