From Clinic to Home: Neuroblast’s Revolutionary Approach to Neurorehabilitation
Marija Grujic, co-founder of Neuroblast, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after giving birth. Her journey through traditional neurorehabilitation clinics was costly and demotivating due to repetitive exercises. This personal experience sparked the creation of Neuroblast, a startup dedicated to providing accessible, mobile post-rehabilitation solutions for neurodegenerative diseases.
The Birth of Neuroblast
Marija and her husband, Marko Grujic, founded Neuroblast to address the limitations they experienced in traditional rehabilitation settings. Marko, with over 20 years of experience in hardware and software engineering, leveraged his expertise to create a home-based solution. They developed interactive devices using Microsoft Azure, Azure IoT Hub, and Azure OpenAI to engage users through video games and track their progress.
Technological Innovations
Neuroblast’s solutions include:
- Motus: A wearable controller that tracks movement in 3D space
- Visio: A visual hand-tracking device
- Terra: A smart carpet measuring pressure to gauge muscle strength
- Brain wave scanning to measure rehabilitation effectiveness
These devices are integrated with interactive video games, making rehabilitation more engaging and providing valuable data for healthcare providers.
The Role of Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure played a crucial role in Neuroblast’s development:
- Azure: Hosting the app and ensuring data residency compliance
- Azure OpenAI Service: Analyzing user data and personalizing reports
- Azure IoT Hub: Managing device connectivity and data
- Visual Studio and GitHub Enterprise: Developing and managing code
The Microsoft Founders Hub provided critical financial and mentoring support, helping Neuroblast grow and scale.
Impact and Future Plans
For Marija, Neuroblast’s technology has been life-changing, enabling her to maintain mobility and motivation. The company is now focused on expanding its impact through further research and collaborations, including a potential study on the effectiveness of their devices in activating the cerebral cortex during rehabilitation.
Neuroblast is also exploring new applications for its technology, such as surgical training through virtual environments using their Visio camera.
Conclusion
Neuroblast’s innovative approach to neurorehabilitation, powered by Microsoft Azure, is transforming the lives of individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. By making rehabilitation more accessible, engaging, and personalized, Neuroblast is paving the way for better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients worldwide.
