BPH Energy (ASX: BPH) believes its investee company Cortical Dynamics – in which it holds a 16.4% direct interest – is at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, health and community.

Cortical Dynamics made a presentation on its ground-breaking AI-supported neurotechnology at the Health Innovation Frontier Forum in Brisbane today.

The Perth-based startup told the gathering that it is developing innovative brain monitoring technologies and AI-based apps that address a global market exceeding 200 million operations per year where general anaesthetics, analgesics and opioids are administered in operating rooms.

BARM 2 developments

Cortical also revealed that it is finalising development of its second-generation Brain Anaesthesia Response Monitor (BARM) in preparation for clinical trials, regulatory approvals and commercial rollout in 2026.

BARM has been developed to detect the effect of anaesthetic agents on brain activity and assist in keeping patients optimally anaesthetised.

The technology was specifically developed with leading anaesthesiologists worldwide to solve problems associated with anaesthetic and analgesic delivery in operating theatres and the associated negative intraoperative and postoperative consequences, which are not widely known.

Patent portfolio

The system features sensors that collect and conduct electrical signals from a patient’s forehead and mastoid to the BARM, where they are graphed and interpreted by the anaesthesiologist.

To protect its interests, Cortical has developed an extensive patent portfolio encapsulating the BARM system and its physiologically based algorithms.

Patents have so far been granted in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, the People’s Republic of China, the UK, Germany, France, Sweden and other European countries.

CORDYAN mobile app

In conjunction with its BARM breakthroughs, Cortical Dynamics has developed the CORDYAN mobile app.

CORDYAN captures BARM data, then stores, computes and further analyses it for enhanced decision-making.

The app will initially be used in operating rooms in conjunction with BARM to assist in assessing optimal drug dosages based on patient medical history and comparative data, calculate the ESG footprint of drugs used, monitor patients postoperatively, track TIVA (total intravenous anaesthesia) versus inhalation protocols, provide insights into economic usage and wastage of drugs and more.

Emission reduction

BARM and CORDYAN will not only help clinicians deliver better patient experiences and outcomes and contribute to reduced patient and hospital costs, but also play a vital role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The US healthcare sector is responsible for 8.5% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, with a significant portion attributed to anaesthesia.

In other developed countries, the range is between 3.5% and 10%.