History

Nemo Healthcare is the spin-off of the joint research of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and the Máxima Medical Center in Veldhoven, the Netherlands (MMC).

Perinatal research

The joint research between TU/e and MMC originates from the 1980's and has initially focused on analysis of hemodynamic signals of newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). By applying advanced signal processing techniques, new insights have been obtained that have proven valuable for the diagnosis or treatment of sick newborns. In 2000 the research has expanded to the analysis of heart activity of the unborn child. This analysis aims at obtaining new information that can be used to improved fetal monitoring.

Electrophysiological monitoring

In 2005 a project was started to develop methods for monitoring the condition of the unborn child by means of non-invasive electrical recordings. This project was financed by the Dutch technology institute STW. From these recordings, which are performed on the abdomen of a pregnant woman, information is obtained both on uterine activity (PhD-work Chiara Rabotti) and on fetal heart activity (PhD-work Rik Vullings). The developed methods provide more accurate information than existing monitoring technology and also provide unique information that other methods cannot provide. Additionally, the measurement method is more comfortable than existing alternative and entirely free of risks for mother and child.

Clinical applications

To fully exploit the potential of the new technology, the developed methods need to be further developed into clinical applications. For this purpose, the company Nemo Healthcare was founded in March 2009. With the help of two STW valorization grants, the technology for monitoring uterine activity has been developed in a clinically applicable device (PUREtrace). With the entrance of a consortium of investors in 2010, means have been obtained for the certification and commercialization of PUREtrace. At the same time, the technology for measuring fetal heart activity will be engineered into a medical device.