Bioelectronic medicine is a research field combining molecular medicine, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering, to develop innovative therapies to treat diseases and conditions through targeted stimulation of nerves to reduce blood loss.
Spark Biomedical, recently announced that they are collaborating with The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health https://feinstein.northwell.edu to commercialize a wearable neurostimulation solution focused on lessening excessive blood loss.
The collaboration will enable the Feinstein Institutes research and patented solution concept in Vagus Nerve Simulation (VNS) for blood loss reduction and Spark Biomedical’s FDA’s approved Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN) therapy device underpinnings, as well as their experience in clinical trial management, will be used to advance this patented concept of a market therapy.
Studies conducted by the Feinstein Institutes’ team over the past decade demonstrates that electrical activation of neural pathways to the spleen can prepare the body for clotting-hemostasis in the event of a wound. A pe-clinical study has demonstrated that VNS can effectively modulate coagulation leading to a 50% reduction in bleeding time and volume.
In fact, surgical teams could apply the device to reduce blood loss and save time in the operating room during the more than 50 million planned surgeries in the U.S. every year. First responders could also apply the device to trauma victims at accident scenes or in ambulances to slow blood loss prior to hospitalization, and soldiers could apply the device prophylactically to curb blood loss if they are wounded.
“The basic science mechanisms of this strategy has been studied exhaustively, so this is a unique opportunity to translate this science into clinical trials for the treatment of life-threatening hemorrhage”, according to Kevin Tracey MD, Founder & CEO Feinstein Institutes.