Rethinking hydrocephalus care
Kitea Health’s mission is to rethink care for those living with Hydrocephalus. “Our collaboration with Primoceler Oy enabled an implant small enough for safe, long-term use inside the brain while ensuring biocompatibility and reliability. This partnership has been key in pushing the boundaries of medical technology,” said Simon Malpas, CEO of Kitea Health. “The outcome of the trials conducted so far give us the confidence in the implant’s long-term durability within the brain”.
The next generation of neurotech
Kitea Health, a pioneer in medtech, has developed the world’s first miniaturized brain pressure sensing device. The device is designed to give visibility into intracranial pressure in patients with hydrocephalus, the abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain. Hydrocephalus affects people of all ages, with over 1 million people in the US alone living with this condition. Despite this scale, the standard of care has barely moved in over seventy years.
Implanted in a human brain for the first time in June 2024, the device monitors intracranial pressure in real-time. The remarkable miniaturization of the device was made possible through a close collaboration with Primoceler Oy, whose Proteon™ all-glass package enabled the implant to be reduced to an unprecedented size.
Proteon™ glass housing by Primoceler Oy was key to realizing Kitea’s chip. Measuring just a few millimeters and weighing only 0.3g, it is an entirely wireless device with no built-in battery.
Image: Kitea Health
A vision for informed patient care
Kitea Health’s ICP System provides patients with pressure measurements at home which is recorded in the Kitea App. This data can be shared with healthcare providers, allowing for more informed decision-making during care.
Malpas envisions this technology drastically reducing emergency hospital visits and improving the quality of life for patients, particularly children with hydrocephalus, who often undergo frequent surgeries due to shunt failures. ”Our goal is to treat thousands of patients worldwide by providing real-time data that gives families and clinicians insights into what’s going on inside the brain,” Malpas said.
Global impact and future expansion
Kitea Health is conducting clinical trials with 20 patients and plans to expand with further trials beginning in 2027. The company expects to secure FDA approval, allowing the device to enter global markets.
“Our implant is already showing great promise in initial trials,” Malpas shared. “We are confident that as we continue to grow and scale, this technology will impact millions of lives around the world. Our collaboration with Primoceler Oy has been an essential factor in getting us to this point, and we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in medical technology.”
Proteon™ all-glass package is a product of Primoceler Oy.