The Venture Kick jury is impressed with the solution from Rhovica Neuroimaging. Aiming to address one of the highest risks of a common neurosurgical intervention, the medtech startup is developing SoNav, a new external ventricular drainage catheter (EVD). The device is integrated with sensors, allowing for the safe, fast, and cost-efficient catheter placement and monitoring of brain ventricles.
The rapid and safe placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) –a catheter inserted in brain cavities called ventricles—is a lifesaving emergency procedure performed to drain fluid and reduce intracranial pressure (ICP). It is one of the most frequent neurosurgical interventions. Today, the trajectory through the brain for EVD insertion is often chosen using superficial anatomical landmarks. This leads to high misplacement rates posing the risk of devastating results due to time delay and injury of functionally important brain structures.
Based in Bern, Rhovica Neuroimaging developed SoNav, an EVD with integrated sensors that allow accurate ventricle localisation and safe EVD placement with visual guidance. Unlike Current EVD solutions that do not provide bedside placement navigation or real-time monitoring mechanisms, SoNav enables continuous monitoring of the ventricles’ size and pressure. Aside from reducing the cost of placement and monitoring procedures, it dramatically reduces the risk of complications.
With its solution, Rhovica addresses a major global challenge in the global EVD market that is expected to grow to more than USD 400 million by 2030. The CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick funds will enable the startup to expand its team and continue prototyping to proceed to pre-clinical studies, leading to first human use.
Rhovica Neuroimaging was co-founded by board-certified neurosurgeons Martin Hlavica and Thomas Rhomberg. The team has been strengthened by adding Blair Fraser as CEO and Abed Hammoud as designated CTO, with over 30 years of experience in bringing medical devices to market and venture building.
“Since first receiving Venture Kick support in March 2021, Rhovica Neuroimaging has evolved significantly during the Venture Kick process. We are grateful to Venture Kick for its stepwise financial support and coaching resources, which have enabled the SoNav project to come to life,” said the co-founders.
(Press release/RAN)
Photo L-R: CEO Blair Fraser, the two Co-Founders, Dr. med. univ. Thomas Rhomberg and Dr. med. Martin Hlavica, and CTO Dr Abed Hammoud
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