Neursantys NEURVESTA

Pioneering the discovery and delivery of bioelectronic treatments using non-invasive devices to target neuromotor conditions that have limited treatment options.

NEURVESTA is an innovative bioelectronics platform designed to address and potentially treat various neuromotor conditions.*

NEURVESTA targets age-related balance decline with its advanced technology. Utilizing very low-level, non-invasive electrical stimulation of the vestibular system (EVS), NEURVESTA offers a safe, well-studied approach with no known adverse side effects. The device’s proprietary EVS treatment protocol requires only three 20-minute sessions per week for six weeks, achieving significant and lasting neuroplastic restoration of balance in individuals aged 50-90. This treatment improves ambulatory confidence and reduces fall risk.*

The device’s ease of use and wearable form factor enable administration by medical staff with minimal training, and eventually, by patients themselves at home. NEURVESTA aims to proactively restore neuromotor functions and potentially slow related cognitive decline.*

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The human balance system develops through complex neuroplastic processes that continue into our teenage years but begins to decline after age 40. This decline is primarily due to age-related changes in the vestibular organs of the inner ear, disrupting the entire balance system. Vestibular decline can also lead to cognitive, psychological, and autonomic impairments.

Age-related balance impairments affect 35% of U.S. adults aged 40 and older (approximately 60 million Americans), increasing to 85% of those aged 80 and older. This decline impacts quality of life, reduces independence, and increases the risk of fall-related injuries. The economic burden in the U.S. includes over $225 billion annually in lost productivity and reduced quality of life, as well as over $50 billion per year in fall-related elderly healthcare costs.

Current therapeutic options are limited to experimental and high-risk vestibular implants, with vestibular dysfunction and related neuromotor decline potentially accelerated by injuries, disease, and microgravity exposure.

When Neursantys partnered with Cortex, they needed to miniaturize their novel non-invasive solution, transitioning from a test lab prototype to a deployable clinical product. The goal was to gather clinical data and validate initial product decisions. Neursantys has since piloted the device in assisted living facilities and neuro-rehabilitation clinics across North America.

Minimize Device Downtime + Maximize Clinical Throughput:

To reduce device downtime, the team transitioned from a wall/mains powered platform to a portable, battery-swappable design. This change ensures constant device use, allowing clinicians to treat more patients daily, whether in a clinic or at home, and enabling passive therapy during social interactions.

Human Factors

Addressing various human factors, the team designed a device accommodating the North American adult population, capable of withstanding years of clinical use, and simple for professionals with diverse training backgrounds to operate. Comprehensive anthropological studies led to a versatile one-size-fits-all form factor with distinct zones for clinicians and patients. The patient zone prioritizes comfort and weight distribution, while the clinician zone provides necessary feedback without distracting the patient, facilitating setup from behind.

Intuitive Software Design

Our UI/UX specialists focused on the product experience by emphasizing clear communication of therapeutic metrics and compliance with privacy standards. Wireframe testing and development planning ensured the GUI was easily implementable, allowing clinicians to make informed care decisions based on effective communication of progress metrics.

“The ability to plan and successfully execute a 6-month product prototype development project with this scope – product design and usability studies, hardware and embedded firmware development, mobile app and cloud data platform integration, device assembly and testing, and live demo support – is a testament to the breadth and caliber of talent with which Cortex Design can support clients like Neursantys.”

John Ralston, PhD, CEO Neursantys

NEURVESTA is the pioneering bioelectronics platform for discovering and delivering treatments for various neuromotor conditions. For age-related balance decline, NEURVESTA uses non-invasive electrical stimulation of the vestibular system (EVS) to offer a safe and effective solution. The device is available for research studies and clinical pilots under IRB approval.