Cortical Dynamics

Drug Monitoring BPH Energy Limited has an interest in the medical devices sector and is currently working towards the commercialization of the Brain Anaesthesia Response (BAR) Index, an algorithm able to measure patient brain activity during surgery. The BAR analysis is based on the physiological mechanisms that generate brain electrical activity allowing the BAR monitor to be faster, much more sensitive and accurate than existing monitors in maintaining optimal drug dosage. This is particularly relevant to the early onset of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Working with Swinburne University of Technology, Cortical Dynamics Pty Ltd and Royal Melbourne Hospital to provide clinicians and researchers with an improved ability to detect and accurately quantify the effects of a wide range of drugs on brain function. Particularly the effects of number of widely used anaesthetic agent's not detectable using current commercially available approaches.

Two clinical trials have been completed at Royal Melbourne Hospital and a comprehensive data set obtained from clinical researchers in Europe has been analysed. With promising results the Cortical Dynamics team have been able to make substantial improvements to the performance of the BAR monitor. The most important components of the system development and intergration of the BAR monitor are now complete which allows a full suite of testing and calibration trials to occur prior to the monitor's full production and distribution.

Cortical Dynamics four (4) patent portfolio is currently going through national phase in Australia, Europe, China, New Zealand and the United States.

- Images rendered by Mr Paul Bourke, Swinburne University of Technology