Likvor announces instrument to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus

27 September 2008

Swedish startup company Likvor AB has announced a new instrument that can measure the pressure, flow and conductance of cerebro spinal fluid (CSF). It facilitates more accurate diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. The tool was introduced at the international Hydrocephalus 2008 congress in Hanover, September 17-20.

Likvor says its tool is the is first commercially available instrument that can safely and successfully measure the pressure, flow and conductance of CSF. The technology behind Likvor’s tool is based on more than 30 years of clinical research at Norrland’s University Hospital and Umeå University, Sweden. Likvor’s instrument is currently being tested in an independent multicentre trial at six university hospitals in the Nordic region.

The technology can help patients suffering from dementia, balance and gait disturbances to go back to normal life. The instrument can also be used to control whether or not a shunt implant is functioning properly.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a neurological condition caused by disturbances in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) found in the cavity of the brain and spinal cord canal. The main clinical features of NPH are balance and gait disturbances, dementia and urinary incontinence.

The most common form of NPH is idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH), which is primarily found in elderly patients and is often incorrectly diagnosed as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. INPH is a potentially reversible disorder, which means that patients who receive the correct diagnosis and treatment can return to normal life. The condition can be treated by surgically implanting a shunt into the brain to regulate CSF pressure and flow.

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The calculation of INPH patient volume is based on the prevalence of dementia. It is estimated that around 9% of the population over 65 years of age suffer from dementia and of these up to 10% in actual fact suffering from INPH.

In Europe, North America and Japan this is equivalent to around 1.4 million people. Likvor’s tool enables patients to be correctly diagnosed and thereby receive the right treatment, resulting in great benefits primarily for the patient but also for society.

Likvor says that its tool will be CE marked in autumn 2008 and will be available on the market from the beginning of 2009. Likvor AB was established in early 2007 at which time the company acquired all the rights to the instrument as well as related patents from the researchers behind the technology.

Likvor’s principal owners are Swedish investment company Uminova Invest and LinkMed the Swedish life sciences investment company, both with 49% of share capital.

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.	Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. Likvor announces instrument to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus 27 September 2008 Swedish startup company Likvor AB has announced a new instrument that can measure the pressure, flow and conductance of cerebro spinal fluid (CSF). It facilitates more accurate diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. The tool was introduced at the international Hydrocephalus 2008 congress in Hanover, September 17-20. Likvor says its tool is the is first commercially available instrument that can safely and successfully measure the pressure, flow and conductance of CSF. The technology behind Likvor’s tool is based on more than 30 years of clinical research at Norrland’s University Hospital and Umeå University, Sweden. Likvor’s instrument is currently being tested in an independent multicentre trial at six university hospitals in the Nordic region. The technology can help patients suffering from dementia, balance and gait disturbances to go back to normal life. The instrument can also be used to control whether or not a shunt implant is functioning properly. Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a neurological condition caused by disturbances in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) found in the cavity of the brain and spinal cord canal. The main clinical features of NPH are balance and gait disturbances, dementia and urinary incontinence. The most common form of NPH is idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH), which is primarily found in elderly patients and is often incorrectly diagnosed as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. INPH is a potentially reversible disorder, which means that patients who receive the correct diagnosis and treatment can return to normal life. The condition can be treated by surgically implanting a shunt into the brain to regulate CSF pressure and flow. Market The calculation of INPH patient volume is based on the prevalence of dementia. It is estimated that around 9% of the population over 65 years of age suffer from dementia and of these up to 10% in actual fact suffering from INPH. In Europe, North America and Japan this is equivalent to around 1.4 million people. Likvor’s tool enables patients to be correctly diagnosed and thereby receive the right treatment, resulting in great benefits primarily for the patient but also for society. Likvor says that its tool will be CE marked in autumn 2008 and will be available on the market from the beginning of 2009. Likvor AB was established in early 2007 at which time the company acquired all the rights to the instrument as well as related patents from the researchers behind the technology. Likvor’s principal owners are Swedish investment company Uminova Invest and LinkMed the Swedish life sciences investment company, both with 49% of share capital. Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. To top	Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.