Johns Hopkins Spinout Launches to Monitor Pain Management in Real Time
A new startup, BIOPAC Medical Systems LP, has launched following a licensing agreement between Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and medical device firms to commercialize neural blockade monitoring technology. The device provides real-time, objective evaluation of regional anesthetic effectiveness during surgical procedures.
The technology was invented by former APL engineer Wayne Sternberger and pediatric anesthesiologist Dr. Robert Greenberg to address a critical gap in clinical care. Currently, clinicians lack reliable ways to evaluate nerve block effectiveness, particularly in vulnerable patients like children or those under general anesthesia.
"We're putting medical innovation into practice, transforming a pioneering concept into a potentially life-enhancing tool for clinical care," Sternberger said in a statement. The venture received support from Maryland's innovation initiative and a National Science Foundation grant, positioning it for regulatory approval and commercial deployment.
Posted by MedCloudInsider Editors on 08/20/2025