Potential

The Nanoflex team has developed a soft robotic system for mechanical interventional stroke treatment. This technology can simplify and shorten procedure times and reduce the risks related to accessing the brain for interventional stroke treatment.

Project Description

Stroke is the second most common cause of death and the number-one cause of long-term disability globally. One in four adults over 25 years old will suffer a stroke during their lifetime. There have been numerous significant advances in the treatment of stroke, both pharmaceutically and mechanically. For mechanical interventional treatments, which have shown clear clinical benefits over pharmaceutical-only approaches in certain patient groups, the doctor physically removes the blood clot from the patient’s brain. These are highly specialized, difficult, and delicate procedures.

With Nanoflex, researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a soft robotic system that precisely inserts specially made catheters deep into the brain. These new types of catheters are softer, more maneuverable, safer, and easier to use than anything currently available. The technology can simplify and shorten procedure times and reduce the risks related to accessing the brain for interventional stroke treatment.

The physicians operating this soft robotic system are not required to stand by the patient during the procedure, which dramatically reduces their X-ray exposure. It is even possible for the physician controlling the robot to treat patients remotely. As a result, patients can be treated in local hospitals rather than being transferred to larger, specialized centers. This is particularly important for ischemic stroke treatment, as the longer it takes to remove the clot after it forms, the more damage may be caused to brain tissue.

Contact

Matt Curran
Co-Project Leader
matthew.curran@wysszurich.ch

Matt curran portrait

Contact

Christohpe Chautems
Co-Project Leader

Christophe chautems portrait

Faculty Mentor

Brad Nelson

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Achievements

04/2023
Won Swiss Accelerator

Awarded the Swiss Accelerator from Innosuisse as a transitional measure for Horizon Europe. Read more.

04/2023
Series A funding

Successful Series A funding. Read more.

02/2022
Selected to pitch at the W.A. de Vigier Awards

Nanoflex will be pitching in the category Medtch for the W.A. de Vigier Awards 2022. Read more.

11/2021
Nanoflex Robotics AG incorporation

The ETH Zurich spin-off is incorporated under the name Nanoflex Robotics AG.

06/2021
Selected for the Venture Leaders MedTech 2021

Nanoflex is one of the ten startups that is part of the first Venture Leaders MedTech program. Read more.

05/2021
Wyss Zurich admission

Nanoflex is accepted as full project at Wyss Zurich.

Core Team

Christophe chautems portrait

Christophe Chautems

Co-Project Leader

Matt curran portrait

Matt Curran

Co-Project Leader

Pengpeng cao portrait

Pengpeng Cao

Regulatory & Quality

Simone gervasoni portrait

Simone Gervasoni

Robotics Engineer

Grace katzschmann portrait

Grace Katzschmann

Business Development & Strategy

Norman pedrini portrait

Norman Pedrini

Robotics Engineer

Julian stiefel portrait

Julian Stiefel

Robotics Engineer

Silvia viviani portrait

Silvia Viviani

Robotics Engineer

Do you have a breakthrough project you want us to know about?

We invite you to contact the Wyss Zurich office to discuss your project and start the evaluation process.