Key points from article :
Kitea Health, a New Zealand-based medtech startup, has successfully implanted the world’s first untethered brain chip in a human patient. The device, implanted in Auckland, is designed to monitor fluid pressure in the brain, particularly for conditions like hydrocephalus, which can cause severe neurological issues. The chip allows patients to measure pressure levels at home using a wireless "wand" that takes readings in seconds. The data is stored in an app and can be shared with doctors in real time.
The trial, carried out at Auckland City Hospital, represents a significant advancement in managing conditions requiring constant monitoring, such as hydrocephalus. The chip was developed to reduce unnecessary hospital visits and invasive scans, which often occur when patients suspect shunt malfunctions. The device is wireless, battery-free, and draws power from the wand used for readings.
Previously tested on animals, this human trial is the first of its kind. The next phase of the trial will involve 150 patients across New Zealand and the United States, with the goal of gaining FDA approval within two years. This approval could lead to widespread use of the technology, improving care for patients with fluid pressure-related conditions.
Kitea Health, founded with support from the Auckland University Bioengineering Institute, has received $14 million in taxpayer funding but is now seeking $20 million from private investors to expand its trials. Despite recent cuts to research and development funding in New Zealand, the company is determined to continue advancing this potentially life-saving technology, which promises a more proactive approach to managing neurological conditions.
