Problem – NeuroShield

The Problem

Current Technology Isn't Fast Enough

Current care hinges on speed. For ischemic stroke, which accounts for 87% of all stroke events, the goal is to administer a clot‑busting drug within 60 minutes of hospital arrival (door‑to‑needle time) and preferably within 3 hours of symptom onset. Early therapy dramatically improves outcomes; patients arriving within 3 hours typically have less disability, and those treated within 60 minutes are much more likely to recover fully. Yet US hospitals often miss these targets. In a national stroke-registry hospital network, only 28% of patients arrived within the first hour of symptom onset, 32% arrived between 1 and 3 hours, and 40% arrived after 3 hours. Even among those who made it to the golden hour, only about 20% were treated within 60 minutes.

Current Detection Isn't Accurate Enough

A major reason treatment is delayed is that strokes can be surprisingly hard to recognize. Classic signs such as face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and sudden numbness can be subtle. A CDC survey found that although 93% of respondents knew one common symptom, only 38% recognized all major symptoms and knew to call 911 immediately. Delayed recognition leads to delayed care: in a large US registry, over half of patients arrived at the hospital more than 2 hours after symptom onset, and a multicenter study found median transfer times to comprehensive stroke centers of nearly 3 hours (174 minutes). These delays mean many patients miss the 60‑minute treatment goal and the broader 3‑hour window, resulting in preventable disability or death.