Researchers to Monitor Astronaut Brain Health Using Images Acquired with the Hyperfine, Inc. Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® System

Rhea-AI Summary

Hyperfine, Inc. (Nasdaq: HYPR) has announced a collaboration with the Medical University of South Carolina to assess astronaut brain health using the Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® system. The research will focus on the Polaris Dawn mission, acquiring brain images of astronauts before and after spaceflight. The study aims to assess intracranial volume changes and gain insights into spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS).

Dr. Donna Roberts, the principal investigator, emphasized the importance of understanding how human physiology adapts to spaceflight and zero-gravity environments. The Swoop® system will capture MR brain images of the four Polaris Dawn crewmembers at key points: seven days before launch, within hours of return, and one day after return. This research could provide valuable data on intracranial venous congestion during spaceflight and brain re-adaptation to Earth.

Positive

• Collaboration with Medical University of South Carolina for astronaut brain health research
• Potential for advancing neurological research in space medicine
• Demonstration of Swoop® system's versatility and robustness in unique settings

Negative

• None.

Medical Research Analyst

This collaboration between Hyperfine, Inc. and the Medical University of South Carolina marks a significant advancement in space medicine research. The use of the Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® system to assess astronauts' brains immediately after spaceflight is groundbreaking. It will provide unprecedented insights into the spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), a condition that has puzzled space medical experts for years.

The study's focus on intracranial volume changes and volumetric analysis of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid spaces could lead to important discoveries about how the human brain adapts to zero-gravity environments. This research has the potential to not only improve astronaut health but also contribute to our understanding of neurological conditions on Earth.

However, investors should note that while this research is scientifically significant, its immediate impact on Hyperfine's financials may be The long-term potential lies in demonstrating the versatility and robustness of the Swoop® system, which could lead to increased adoption in various healthcare settings beyond space medicine.

Tech Expert

The application of Hyperfine's Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® system in space research demonstrates its technological versatility and robustness. The system's ability to provide detailed brain images in a SpaceX facility, outside of traditional hospital settings, showcases its portability and ease of use – key selling points for the product.

This collaboration could potentially open new markets for Hyperfine, beyond traditional healthcare facilities. The successful use of the Swoop® system in space-related research might attract interest from other non-traditional sectors, potentially expanding Hyperfine's customer base.

However, it's important to note that while this is an exciting application, it's likely a niche use case. The real value for Hyperfine will be in how they leverage this high-profile research to market their product's versatility and reliability to more mainstream healthcare providers.

GUILFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hyperfine, Inc. (Nasdaq: HYPR), the groundbreaking health technology company that has redefined brain imaging with the first FDA-cleared portable magnetic resonance (MR) brain imaging system—the Swoop® system—today announced a collaboration with the Medical University of South Carolina to assess the brains of astronauts before and after embarking on the Polaris Dawn mission.

(Photo: Business Wire)

Researchers will utilize the Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® system at a SpaceX facility in Florida to acquire detailed images of astronauts’ brains within hours of their return from space following the Polaris Dawn mission. The research aims to use brain images acquired with the Swoop® system to assess intracranial volume changes following spaceflight by performing a volumetric analysis of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid spaces. These scans will provide the earliest brain images ever taken of astronauts following their return to Earth.

The principal investigator, Donna Roberts, MD, MS, from the Medical University of South Carolina, remarked, “This research will help us understand how human physiology adapts to spaceflight and zero-gravity environments. Using brain images acquired with the Swoop® system, we aim to gain valuable insights into the etiology of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS)—a condition in which astronauts experience changes in vision, alterations to the retina, and in some cases, swelling of the optic disc and increased intracranial pressure.”

The Swoop® system will acquire MR brain images of the four Polaris Dawn crewmembers at critical points before and after spaceflight—seven days before launch, within hours of return, and one day after return. These images will provide data to help researchers determine whether intracranial venous congestion occurs during spaceflight or during the brain’s re-adaptation to Earth.

Maria Sainz, President and CEO of Hyperfine, Inc., stated, "At Hyperfine, Inc., we are dedicated to enhancing brain health, and this research has the potential to advance neurological research. This collaboration showcases the versatility and robustness of our system and the potential of our groundbreaking technology to go into nearly any professional healthcare setting."

For more information about the Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® system, please visit hyperfine.io.

For more information about the Polaris Dawn mission, please visit polarisprogram.com.

About the Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® System

The Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® system is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared for brain imaging of patients of all ages. It is a portable, ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging device for producing images that display the internal structure of the head where full diagnostic examination is not clinically practical. When interpreted by a trained physician, these images provide information that can be useful in determining a diagnosis. The Swoop® system also has CE certification in the European Union and UKCA certification in the United Kingdom. The Swoop® system is commercially available in a select number of international markets.

About Hyperfine, Inc.

Hyperfine, Inc. (Nasdaq: HYPR) is the groundbreaking health technology company that has redefined brain imaging with the Swoop® system—the first FDA-cleared, portable, ultra-low-field, magnetic resonance brain imaging system capable of providing imaging at multiple points of care. The mission of Hyperfine, Inc. is to revolutionize patient care globally through transformational, accessible, clinically relevant diagnostic imaging. Founded by Dr. Jonathan Rothberg in a technology-based incubator called 4Catalyzer, Hyperfine, Inc. scientists, engineers, and physicists developed the Swoop® system out of a passion for redefining brain imaging methodology and how clinicians can apply accessible diagnostic imaging to patient care. For more information, visit hyperfine.io.

The Hyperfine logo, Swoop, and Portable MR Imaging are registered trademarks of Hyperfine, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results of Hyperfine, Inc. (the “Company”) may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s goals and commercial plans, the benefits of the Company’s products and services, and the Company’s future performance and its ability to implement its strategy. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the Company’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the success, cost and timing of the Company’s product development and commercialization activities, including the degree that the Swoop® system is accepted and used by healthcare professionals; the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s business; the inability to maintain the listing of the Company’s Class A common stock on the Nasdaq; the Company’s inability to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the inability of the Company to raise financing in the future; the inability of the Company to obtain and maintain regulatory clearance or approval for its products, and any related restrictions and limitations of any cleared or approved product; the inability of the Company to identify, in-license or acquire additional technology; the inability of the Company to maintain its existing or future license, manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements and to obtain adequate supply of its products; the inability of the Company to compete with other companies currently marketing or engaged in the development of products and services that the Company is currently marketing or developing; the size and growth potential of the markets for the Company’s products and services, and its ability to serve those markets, either alone or in partnership with others; the pricing of the Company’s products and services and reimbursement for medical procedures conducted using the Company’s products and services; the Company’s estimates regarding expenses, revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; the Company’s financial performance; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those under “Risk Factors” therein. The Company cautions readers that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and that readers should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240911316319/en/

Media

Dana Schroeder

Health+Commerce

dana@healthandcommerce.com

Investor

Marissa Bych

Gilmartin Group LLC

marissa@gilmartinir.com

Source: Hyperfine, Inc.

FAQ

What is Hyperfine's Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® system being used for in the Polaris Dawn mission?

The Swoop® system is being used to acquire detailed brain images of astronauts before and after spaceflight to assess intracranial volume changes and study spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS).

When will the brain scans be performed on the Polaris Dawn astronauts using HYPR's Swoop® system?

Brain scans will be performed seven days before launch, within hours of return to Earth, and one day after return.

What is the main research objective of using Hyperfine's (HYPR) Swoop® system in the Polaris Dawn mission?

The main objective is to understand how human physiology adapts to spaceflight and zero-gravity environments, particularly focusing on intracranial volume changes and the etiology of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS).

How does the Hyperfine (HYPR) collaboration for the Polaris Dawn mission demonstrate the Swoop® system's capabilities?

The collaboration showcases the Swoop® system's versatility and robustness by demonstrating its ability to operate in unique settings like a SpaceX facility and provide critical brain imaging data for space medicine research.