Neural Analytics has bagged a $10 million contract to develop a point-of-injury device for assessing combat-related traumatic brain injuries. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is putting up the money to give the army a better way of measuring moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries in combat situations.
Los Angeles-based Neural Analytics established its noninvasive brain assessment credentials with its Lucid ultrasound system, which has picked up regulatory nods on both sides of the Atlantic over the past year. The technology uses ultrasound to record blood flow velocity in arteries and veins in the head and neck. This gives doctors a noninvasive way to diagnose blood flow-related brain disorders.
Neural Analytics developed the technology for use in civilian settings. But with the U.S. Army looking to gain the ability to measure parameters relevant to moderate to severe traumatic brain injury in the field, Neural Analytics now has opportunities to branch out.
Battelle is contributing its experience and capabilities to help Neural Analytics come up with a device that is rugged and small enough to meet the military’s requirements. The Army wants the device to function as a single, portable unit that is simple enough to work with minimal training and maintenance.
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The DOD awarded the contract to Neural Analytics over eight other applicants. In return for the fixed-price contract, Neural Analytics will work on a prototype device for the military. The DOD has penciled in a March 2019 completion date for the work. If Neural Analytics can deliver, it thinks it will break new ground.
“We believe our technology will be the first of its kind targeted for a military environment,” CEO Leo Petrossian, Ph.D., said in a statement. “This work will also significantly impact civilian versions of the technology allowing for further advancement of our Lucid System in the prehospital or EMS setting.”
The incorporation of the military technology into the civilian product is one of Neural Analytics' plans for after the contract is complete. The other is to supply the finished technology to the DOD.