Cooper 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.