5 life sciences projects from CHUV, EPFL and HEIG-VD awarded by FIT

Five projects have received support from the Foundation for Innovation and Technology (FIT) in the form of Tech Grants: Bio-CapnoMAD from CHUV, Helix Robotics, MyJoint and Neurovia from EPFL, and Grenat from HEIG-VD will be able to continue developing their technologies with the backing of the Foundation.

Bio-CapnoMAD provides innovative solutions to fight sleep apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a widespread disorder affecting approximately one billion people globally, leading to disrupted breathing, poor sleep quality, and increased risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other severe health conditions.
Stemming from CHUV, Bio-CapnoMAD consists of two innovative technologies: bioMAD and capnoMAD. bioMAD relies on a biomimetic design to optimize airway openness by exerting maximum tension on the hyoid bone muscles. capnoMAD, on the other hand, integrates advanced sensor technology to monitor breathing patterns and metabolic status for real-time data collection and personalized adjustments to the treatment plan.
The FIT grant will enable Bio-CapnoMAD to pursue the development and prepare for the next phases, including clinical trials and market readiness.

Helix Robotics creates a soft robotic arm

Spun-out of EPFL, Helix Robotics proposes a soft robotic arm that offers an alternative approach to current rigid collaborative robots that rely on control systems to achieve compliance and safety. This type of robotic manipulators is typically used for tasks like shelf-stacking, manufacturing assistance, social care, and agricultural robotics.
With a soft and compliant physical structure, all the mass (and hence inertia) of the rigid motors is moved to the base. The arm features a continuum bending structure, like an elephant trunk, allowing it to bend, extend, and flex. This enables it to safely operate in close contact with humans and to navigate around, into, and through environments, adapting to and exploiting them.
The FIT-InnoGrant will serve to develop a new version of the arm able to withstand a payload of 3kgs, demonstrate a precision of 4mm, and to demonstrate it for the task of automatic recharging of electric vehicles.

MyJoint: an innovative wearable technology that predicts anterior cruciate ligament injury

In the competitive world of sports, an injury can make or break a team’s success. The EPFL-project MyJoint uses wearable technology and biomechanical modelling backed up by AI analysis to deliver a personalised recommendation based on the different risk factors for each player in a team.
MyJoint’s portable technology estimates dynamic knee valgus loading on the field – a specific parameter responsible for up to 82% of recorded anterior cruciate ligament injuries in football and basketball. The device then identifies the source of increased risk and uses AI and holistic data from the sport team to provide a personalized regime considering multifactorial assessments.
With the FIT-InnoGrant, MyJoint will further develop its platform to integrate existing data and deliver comprehensive performance metrics.

Neurovia: minimally invasive bioelectronic implants to adjust blood pressure

Spun out of EPFL, Neurovia tackles orthostatic hypotension, a disorder that causes blood pressure to drop suddenly when individuals stand up, leaving them vulnerable to falls, fainting, and, in extreme cases, life-threatening complications.
Neurovia’s minimally invasive bioelectronic implant provides real-time, on-demand blood pressure control. Using a stent-like electrode array, the implant is positioned in the renal artery, where it can stimulate nerves to safely and precisely adjust blood pressure as needed.
Made from flexible, biocompatible materials, the device conforms comfortably within the artery, avoiding inflammation and preserving blood flow while ensuring optimal nerve engagement. By offering a customizable solution that activates only when blood pressure needs correcting, Neurovia’s device mitigates the risks associated with constant high or low blood pressure, reducing the likelihood of heart and organ damage over time.
Building on an initial study, the FIT-Innogrant will support key preclinical activities, focusing on terminal porcine model experiments to confirm the implant’s safety and efficacy.

Grenat: an optical sorter for small farms

The Grenat project is an optical sorting technology designed to help farmers sort traditional crops such as pulses or millets. These crops, which were once neglected, have now been identified as essential for adapting to climate change, especially because of their ability to withstand water stress and their high nutritional value.
Grenat offers an innovative technological solution: an optical sorter using a high-resolution camera and a detection system based on artificial intelligence, capable of sorting ancient grains as small as 1 mm in diameter. Unlike existing sorters, which are designed for large farms, the technology is tailored to the specific needs of small-scale producers.
Following a first grant of CHF 50’000 last year, the Grenat project has now been awarded a second Tech Grant of the same amount to pursue the development of its a scalable, adaptable solution designed to transform the value chain of traditional crops, both in Europe and in emerging economies.

➡️ Source Text & Photo: FIT