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BPH Energy investee Cortical Dynamics files for new brain monitoring patent

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By George Tchetvertakov - 
BPH Energy Cortical Dynamics patent ASX Brain Anaesthesia Response monitor BARM

Cortical Dynamics’ BARM brain monitor is set to be exhibited in Korea later this month.

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BPH Energy (ASX: BPH) has confirmed that Cortical Dynamics has filed a new international patent application under the designation “apparatus and process for measuring brain activity”, a company in which BPH holds a 16% interest in.

Cortical already has a relatively strong arsenal of patents on its books, with 22 granted patents in five different families. Currently, the medical device technology company has been awarded patents in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Europe and the US with its patents covering both the composite cortical state (CCS) and cortical input, the company said.

The rationale behind the latest patent application, much like with its previous awards, is to ensure any intellectual property that is developed as a result of the company’s developmental efforts will be protected during the commercialisation phase.

Currently, Cortical’s core product is the Brain Anaesthesia Response monitor (BARM), an electronic device that improves on existing electroencephalogram (EEG) technologies by “incorporating the latest advances in our understanding of how the brain’s rhythmic electrical activity, the EEG, is produced.”

The approach used is fundamentally different from other devices currently available in that its underlying algorithm produces EEG indexes which are directly related to the physiological state of the patient’s brain.

Where as competing systems produce EEG measures based on physiologically arbitrary statistical methods that utilise trial-and-error identification of anaesthetic-induced EEG regularities in patients undergoing operative procedures.

According to Cortical, the BARM system is “fundamentally differentiated” from its peers which allows it to exhibit sensitivity to a range of sedative and anaesthetic agents including propofol, ketamine and nitrous oxide – substances that most other depth of anaesthesia monitors cannot detect.

Additionally, the BARM system can detect the effects of both hypnotic and analgesic agents and sedation efficiency – even in completely paralysed patients – which no other depth of anaesthesia monitors can with a reading derived merely two seconds after detection – 28 seconds faster than its leading competitor, Cortical said.

Cortical business

Cortical has developed an extensive patent portfolio encapsulating the BARM, providing critical patent protection across several key brain monitoring markets.

The company is planning to continue obtaining key patents but is also keen to boost sales of its BARM monitor in all territories where it is approved.

Earlier this week, BPH Energy confirmed that Cortical will exhibit its BARM brain monitor at this year’s Spring Development seminar and Council of the Korean Association of Anaesthesia.

Cortical’s Korean distributor, Globaluck is set to present the BARM monitor at the conference to be held at the BEXCO Convention Hall in Busan South Korea on 24 and 25 July.

Importantly, BPH Energy confirmed that Cortical and Globaluck are currently “in the final phase” of the Korean regulatory approval process with the country’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.