Camden, NJ — Cooper University Health Care is now enrolling patients in a clinical trial for a new, less invasive treatment option for a condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)—a brain disorder that mostly affects people over the age of 65 that can cause walking difficulties, memory problems, and loss of bladder control.
The new procedure uses the eShunt® System, a small implant designed to drain excess fluid from around the brain without the need for traditional brain surgery. Cooper is one of several hospitals across the country participating in the national STRIDE Pivotal Study, which will evaluate how safe and effective this treatment is. Cooper is the only health system in the Philadelphia and South Jersey region currently participating in this clinical trial.
“This trial represents an exciting new frontier for treating NPH, a condition that often goes undiagnosed or is mistaken for other issues like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,” said Ajith J. Thomas, MD, Chair and Chief of the Department of Neurosurgery at Cooper University Health Care. “By offering a minimally invasive approach, we hope to give patients relief from life-altering symptoms with fewer risks and a quicker recovery than standard surgery.”
NPH is a condition in which too much spinal fluid builds up in the brain, putting pressure on key areas that control walking, thinking, and bladder function. It is estimated to affect more than 800,000 adults in the United States, but many cases go unrecognized.
The eShunt System, developed by CereVasc, Inc., uses a catheter-based technique to place a small implant at the base of the skull. This implant helps drain the fluid into a nearby vein, relieving pressure on the brain. The goal is to avoid traditional surgery, which typically involves opening the skull and can come with higher risks and longer recovery times.
The STRIDE Study is open to eligible patients who meet certain criteria. For more information about participating in the trial at Cooper University Health Care, visit https://nphstridestudy.com or email CNIresearch@cooperhealth.edu.
About CereVasc, Inc.
CereVasc is a Massachusetts-based medical device company focused on creating less invasive treatments for brain disorders. Its lead product, the eShunt System, is a first-of-its-kind approach for treating communicating hydrocephalus without traditional brain surgery. Learn more at www.cerevasc.com.
Note: The eShunt® device is still being studied and has not yet been approved by the FDA. Its safety and effectiveness are still under evaluation.
About Cooper University Health Care
Cooper University Health Care is a leading academic health system affiliated with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Cooper, headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, has revenues of more than $2.4 billion and an A+ credit rating from S&P Global and Fitch Ratings.
Cooper has approximately 14,000 team members, including nearly 1,600 nurses, more than 1,000 employed physicians representing 95 specialties and subspecialties, and more than 600 advanced practice professionals.
Cooper operates MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper as well as three hospitals – its 663-bed flagship Cooper University Hospital in Camden, its 229-bed Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional in Cape May Courthouse, and Children’s Regional Hospital also in Camden.
Cooper University Hospital in Camden is the only Level 1 trauma center in South Jersey and the busiest in the region. The hospital has been recognized as a top-performing regional hospital by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals annual survey for six years.
More than 2.4 million patients visit Cooper’s facilities annually. Cooper’s ambulatory network encompasses three outpatient surgery centers, several urgent care centers, a wound care center, and more than 130 physician, physical therapy, and radiology offices extending from the Delaware River to the New Jersey shore.
Cooper was named one of America’s Best Large Employers for 2025 by Forbes, ranking among the top 200 in the nation.
Visit CooperHealth.org to learn more.
Study Contacts:
Cooper University Health Care
CNIresearch@cooperhealth.edu
DJ Cass, CereVasc, Inc.
djcass@cerevasc.com