Innovating, our project is going to improve the life of people with epilepsy
Epilepsy is the most common of serious brain diseases reaching over 80 million people around the world, from which 80% are in developing countries. Although there are medications and treatments at hand, none of them are able to predict an oncoming seizure.
Epistemic can transform this reality improving the quality of life of people with epilepsy, opening doors for them to do whatever they desire without serious consequences and being able to count on the security of a faster medical response BEFORE a seizure happens. In addition to alerting the user, the device sends an SOS message to an application that can be installed in the user's caregiver's smartphone.
If patients could learn that a seizure was coming beforehand, they could prepare themselves to diminish its effects. Our device, offers just that, thus helping epileptic carriers around the world to be able to perform activities that they currently cannot without risking theirs or other people’s lives.
Epistemic
How the device works to help people with epilepsy
Detection with an average of 25 minutes.
The device works using discrete detectors on the user's head. These detectors send a constant signal to the device (wearable), which analyzes, through the developed method, if there will be a seizure on the short term. If that is the case, the device sends an alert to the user and another to a mobile device of a caregiver.
How to wear the device
The device is worn behind the ear.
Two non-invasive sensors are worn on the head.
During the course of a normal day
Sensors collect data and send it to the device.
An algorithm in the device processes this data constantly.
The collected history can be stored in the cloud.
Around 20 minutes before the seizure
The device triggers an alert and sends a message to the phone or wearable through a bluetooth signal.
Visual and audible alerts are given.
Communication to caregivers
Patient's wearable and/or cell phone communicate with caregiver's mobile device through the cellular network.
If the device detects an outbreak, it sends a warning signal to the user’s and to a caregiver’s cellular phone.
Thus, the non-admitted patients can take preventive measures in their day-to-day life that do not involve taking constant medication: take medication for the specific seizure, stop driving, ask someone to pick him/her up, etc.
For the hospitalized patient, the device can alert his/her doctors in time for treatment.
Our schedule
Kick-off
January 2015
1st Phase
Team.
1st version of embedded SW development according to new methodology.
May, 1st
2nd Phase
Embedded SW development according to new methodology.
1st HW version.
January, 2016
3rd Phase
Clinical trials following Federal Health Organization's recommendations.
SW and HW optimization.
Licensing with Federal Health Organizations.
July, 2017
How the data analysis works
A seizure is easily identifiable in an electroencephalogram at the moment it happens:
Patient's electroencephalogram signal while having an epileptic seizure
Our method consists in data processing based on non-linear dynamic systems that allows the seizure to be detected
25 minutes in advance on average.
The data analyzed in this project came from two different sources:
Data handling
The chart shows the result of our studies: the distribution of “alerts” in real signals of epileptic patients.
The chart shows only the FIRST alert generated for each patient.
We observed that the majority of these alerts occurred in a range of 15 to 35 minutes before the outbreak.
Cause description
This can make a lot of lives better
This is a completely innovating project with the objective of improving the quality of life of patients with epilepsy. We are proposing the development of a device for the anticipated detection of an incoming epileptic seizure through noninvasive methods for the patient. All of the equipment in use today, and those being currently developed, alert of an already ongoing seizure.
Professor Hilda Cerdeira developed the method and the corresponding algorithm which has been tested on information collected from electroencephalograms from epileptic patients. Some with seizures and some without. The device works through disposable sensors placed on the user’s head, with disposable adhesive chips or even sensors in the inner part of the wearable bracelet.
These sensors send a constant signal to the device, which analyzes if a seizure is about to happen with the developed method. If that is the case, it sends an alert to the user and an SOS message to the application that is installed in the user’s caregiver’s smartphone.
Our method consists in the processing of data, based on non-linear dynamic systems that enable the detection of the seizure up to an average of 25 minutes before the seizure. The project predicts the development of two devices with different markets: one for the final user and another more robust one for hospitals (hospitalized patients).
We are offering the possibility of a more dignified life for those with epilepsy.
News
Epistemic News
Epistemic on more news
The newspaper O Estado de São Paulo also reported Epistemic's reception of the award "Prêmio Empreenda Saúde" (Undertake Health Award) from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital and the Everis Foundation.
Interview with Epistemic's CEO, Paula Gomez
Check out Paula Gomez talking about the award Empreenda Saúde (Undertake Health Award) from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital and the Everis Foundation
Epistemic once again on the newspaper "O Estado de São Paulo"
Epistemic featured on another article of the newspaper "O Estado de São Paulo" on wearables and how they are helping health issues. Check out the article here.
Epistemic on Valor Econômico
Epistemic featured in an article of the magazine Valor Econômico on startups and big company's investing on new technologies. Check out the article here.
Epistemic featuring on news on the Empreenda Saúde Award
Epistemic was mentioned on this article about the Award Empreenda Saúde given by Everis, which Epistemic was the recipient of last year. Check out the article here.
Epistemic featured at Canaltech
Canaltech has an article on Epistemic. Check it out!
Epistemic on the Check-up Website's news
Epistemic featured on the Check-up website.
Epistemic won the Demo Day Berrini Ventures e-Health Summit HCFMUSP
Check out Epistemic's presentation at the Demo Day Berrini Ventures e-Health Summit HCFMUSP Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo.
Epistemic featured on JCNotícias
Epistemic fearured once again on the Newspaper "O Estado de São Paulo"
Epistemic was once again news in "O Estado de São Paulo" in an article by André Cáceres on February 28, 2016. Check out the article here.
Epistemic featured on an Article on the Unesp Newsletter
Epistemic Wins the "Prêmio Empreenda Saúde" (Undertake Health Award) from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital and the Everis Foundation
Epistemic was awarded the "Prêmio Empreenda Saúde" (Undertake Health Award) from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital and the Everis Foundation and received an amount of R$ 50,000.00 for investments on the Project. This will help Epistemic on our goal of having a functioning device available for sale in 2018.
More on Epistemic's Award Reception on Everis's Website
Epistemic Received the Ignite Healthcare Award on September 29, 2015 from Pfizer and Berrini Ventures
Epistemic's Annual Shark Tank Nomination mentioned in the press
Epistemic's participation on the Annual Shark Tank of the Epilepsy Foundation of America has made the news. It was mentioned in the:
The news website UOL reported Epistemic's reception of the award "Prêmio Empreenda Saúde" (Undertake Health Award) from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital and the Everis Foundation. Check out the article.
Epistemic Nominated for the Annual Shark Tank of the Epilepsy Foundation of America
Epistemic participated of the final phase of the Annual Shark Tank da Epilepsy Foundation of America, in May of 2015 in Miami, USA. Epistemic was awarded U$ 5,000.00.
This is the result of a scientific research conducted for 5 years. The method has been perfected to the point where the seizures can be detected up to an average of 25 minutes in advance and was tested with signals from several different patients with epilepsy
For the development of this project, Epistemic brought together a highly qualified team. Learn more about them by clicking on the pictures below.
Hilda Cerdeira
R&D Director and Co-founder
PhD Physicist
Professor at UNESP, Brazil
Paula Gomez
Executive Director and Co-founder
PhD Electrical Engineering
MBA
Entrepreneur – Resp. for Business
Ley Sanders
Responsible M.D.
PhD. Neurologist specialized in epilepsy
Professor at UCL, London
Fernando Ferreira
Research Partner
PhD Physicist
Professor at USP Leste, Brazil
Konstantin Lukin
Responsible for HW and SW
PhD Physical Electronics
Nonlinear Dynamics of Electronic Systems, IRE NASU, Ukrain
Adriana Cerdeira
Web Development
Web Developer
Responsible for the development and maintenance of the Epistemic Website
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News
Epistemic News
Epistemic on more news
The newspaper O Estado de São Paulo also reported Epistemic's reception of the award "Prêmio Empreenda Saúde" (Undertake Health Award) from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital and the Everis Foundation.
Interview with Epistemic's CEO, Paula Gomez
Check out Paula Gomez talking about the award Empreenda Saúde (Undertake Health Award) from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital and the Everis Foundation
Epistemic once again on the newspaper "O Estado de São Paulo"
Epistemic featured on another article of the newspaper "O Estado de São Paulo" on wearables and how they are helping health issues. Check out the article here.
Epistemic on Valor Econômico
Epistemic featured in an article of the magazine Valor Econômico on startups and big company's investing on new technologies. Check out the article here.
Epistemic featuring on news on the Empreenda Saúde Award
Epistemic was mentioned on this article about the Award Empreenda Saúde given by Everis, which Epistemic was the recipient of last year. Check out the article here.
Epistemic featured at Canaltech
Canaltech has an article on Epistemic. Check it out!
Epistemic on the Check-up Website's news
Epistemic featured on the Check-up website.
Epistemic won the Demo Day Berrini Ventures e-Health Summit HCFMUSP
Check out Epistemic's presentation at the Demo Day Berrini Ventures e-Health Summit HCFMUSP Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo.
Epistemic featured on JCNotícias
Epistemic fearured once again on the Newspaper "O Estado de São Paulo"
Epistemic was once again news in "O Estado de São Paulo" in an article by André Cáceres on February 28, 2016. Check out the article here.
Epistemic featured on an Article on the Unesp Newsletter
Epistemic Wins the "Prêmio Empreenda Saúde" (Undertake Health Award) from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital and the Everis Foundation
Epistemic was awarded the "Prêmio Empreenda Saúde" (Undertake Health Award) from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital and the Everis Foundation and received an amount of R$ 50,000.00 for investments on the Project. This will help Epistemic on our goal of having a functioning device available for sale in 2018.
More on Epistemic's Award Reception on Everis's Website
Epistemic Received the Ignite Healthcare Award on September 29, 2015 from Pfizer and Berrini Ventures
Epistemic's Annual Shark Tank Nomination mentioned in the press
Epistemic's participation on the Annual Shark Tank of the Epilepsy Foundation of America has made the news. It was mentioned in the:
The news website UOL reported Epistemic's reception of the award "Prêmio Empreenda Saúde" (Undertake Health Award) from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital and the Everis Foundation. Check out the article.
Epistemic Nominated for the Annual Shark Tank of the Epilepsy Foundation of America
Epistemic participated of the final phase of the Annual Shark Tank da Epilepsy Foundation of America, in May of 2015 in Miami, USA. Epistemic was awarded U$ 5,000.00.
