Nisonic

Nisonic AS is a medical software company poised to address a critical need in neurology and emergency medicine with its non-invasive solution for measuring intracranial pressure (ICP). Established in 2017 in Trondheim, Norway, the company is a spin-off from SINTEF, one of Europe's largest independent research organizations. The foundation for Nisonic's technology was laid through a collaborative effort that began in 2013, uniting ultrasound experts from SINTEF with clinical neurosurgeons from the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

The core of Nisonic's business is its proprietary software, FAST-ICP, which leverages advanced ultrasound imaging and machine learning algorithms. This system analyzes transorbital ultrasound images of the optic nerve sheath, which alters its shape and stiffness in response to changes in brain pressure. By placing a standard ultrasound transducer on a patient's eyelid, clinicians can perform a scan in under a minute. The software then provides real-time, automated analysis of image-based biomarkers to estimate ICP, a significant departure from the current standard of care which requires drilling a hole in the skull to insert a sensor. This invasive procedure is high-risk, costly, and must be performed by specialists.

Nisonic's business model centers on providing this software solution, which can be integrated into existing point-of-care ultrasound devices or installed on Windows-based computers, effectively transforming standard equipment into sophisticated ICP assessment tools. The target market includes hospitals, particularly neurocritical care units, emergency departments, and intensive care units that manage patients with conditions like traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and brain tumors. The company has secured approximately $1.97 million in seed funding from investors including Hadean Ventures, Investinor, and SINTEF Venture to advance its technology through clinical validation and towards market launch in Europe and the USA.

Keywords: intracranial pressure, non-invasive monitoring, ultrasound software, medical imaging, machine learning, neurosurgery, healthtech, diagnostic equipment, traumatic brain injury, point-of-care