Empatica, a leading digital health and AI company specializing in medical-grade wearables and digital biomarkers, is set to revolutionize epilepsy care with its groundbreaking real-world data collection initiative. The company has announced plans to develop a seizure forecast algorithm through a first-of-its-kind study utilizing its innovative technology.
With over 3 million Americans grappling with epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, the company's venture aims to address the specific needs of those living with refractory epilepsy. This condition, affecting approximately one-third of people with epilepsy, arises when medications no longer effectively control seizures, posing significant risks to patients' quality of life, safety, and well-being.
The study is meticulously designed to pinpoint individualized periods of seizure risk for epilepsy patients. Company's forecasting algorithm, fed with comprehensive data encompassing patient lifestyle and biomarker viability, aims to provide reliable seizure forecasts. Dr. Rosalind Picard, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at Empatica, expressed excitement stating, “Seizure forecasting has long been among the most-requested features for people with epilepsy. We are excited to announce our plans to begin a large clinical study aimed at using wearable technology to enable reliable seizure forecasting.”
Dr. Picard highlighted “Patients with epilepsy understand the toll that uncertainty around seizures takes and we hope that this study will help give them better control over their life, reducing stress and perhaps also enabling early interventions that ultimately reduce or prevent seizures from happening.” Empatica, with proven expertise in monitoring neurological conditions, has already made significant strides in this field.
The company's Embrace smartwatch, the first and only FDA-cleared wearable technology for detecting possible convulsive seizures, has been a pioneering achievement. Additionally, its wearables have previously been employed to successfully collect data for forecasting seizures, as demonstrated in a peer-reviewed study by the Mayo Clinic, King's College, and the University of Melbourne, funded by the Epilepsy Foundation through the Seizure Gauge Initiative.
Further, Empatica's commitment to innovation extends beyond seizure forecasting. In 2021, the company developed an AI-based predictive algorithm focused on issuing warnings for early signs of respiratory infections. CE-marked for medical use in the EU, this algorithm showcased the company's versatility in applying AI to diverse healthcare challenges.
As a pioneer in continuous and unobtrusive remote health monitoring driven by AI, its platform and technology have been instrumental in various research studies examining stress, sleep, epilepsy, migraine, depression, addiction, and more. Their flagship medical wearable, EmbracePlus, developed in collaboration with HHS, USAMRDC, and NASA-funded TRISH, solidifies the company's commitment to advancing healthcare through cutting-edge technology.
Empatica's award-winning Embrace watch, recognized as the world's first and only FDA-cleared smartwatch in neurology for its ability to detect epileptic seizures, underscores the company's leadership in the intersection of healthcare and technology. As the study unfolds, the company's efforts are poised to redefine epilepsy care, offering new hope and possibilities for individuals affected by this challenging neurological condition.
