13 Jul 2024

Helping the brain drain

From Saturday Morning, 8:10 am on 13 July 2024

Photo: kiteahealth.com

The developer of the world's smallest brain implant, Kitea Health, says it not only alerts parents when pressure is building in their child's brain, but will take the pressure off families living in constant fear of a serious medical event.

Clinical trials have started in 20 people with hydrocephalus in Auckland.

Kitea Health CEO Dr Simon Malpas tells Bryan Crump typically hydrocephalus is treated by inserting a shunt in the brain - which can block.

The new Kitea Health brain chip is inserted at the same time as a shunt, can be monitored at home and will detect changes in brain pressure before symptoms, caused by blockages, appear.

Dr Malpas is joined by a family taking part in the trial.