Developed by BAU Faculty of Health Sciences Scientists, Purchased by Harvard University

A special earphone developed by Turkish engineers, used in the treatment of stress-related diseases by electrically stimulating the vagus nerve in the ear, has been purchased by Harvard University. The device will be used by physicians and researchers at Harvard Medical School to conduct research in the field of infection.

The special earphone developed by Turkish engineers prevents stress-related diseases by electrically stimulating the vagus nerve in the ear. The device, called Vagustim, which can be controlled via a mobile application, will be used in the treatment of conditions such as chronic pain including migraine and fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, functional bowel disorders, depression and obesity.

A member of the team that developed the device, Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Physiotherapy Assist. Prof. Dr. Ali Veysel Özden, ""Harvard liked this device very much and purchased five of them. It will be used by physicians and researchers at Harvard Medical School to conduct research in the field of infection. Our goal is to have the device certified. Once we obtain FDA approval, the way will be cleared for human studies and its use in other diseases,"he said.

What Is the Vagus Nerve?

Explaining that the vagus nerve is an important part of the autonomic nervous system, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ali Veysel Özden said: "It is the nerve that allows the body to calm down and relax and ensures proper digestion. It emerges from the brainstem, reaches almost all internal organs and enables them to function.

The most important cause of stress-related disorders is the suppression of the vagus nerve. Migraine is a very serious disease and is closely related to stress. We can count all chronic pain other than migraine among these diseases. Sleep disorders are among them. Apart from that, we can mention functional bowel disorders. Depression is among the diseases associated with stress. Obesity is one of the problems of our age. One of the causes of obesity is that stress suppresses and blocks the feeling of hunger, which then leads to overeating. That is why vagus nerve stimulation is used in many stress-related diseases."

One of the 5 Most Promising Startups

In 2020, Vagustim was awarded a grant of approximately 1 million TL from TÜBİTAK 1511, one of TÜBİTAK's most prestigious support programs. Vagustim was named one of the 5 most promising startups among 188 neurotechnology startups analyzed worldwide.

Preparing to complete a new investment round by the end of 2021, the startup plans to grow by moving faster in certification, mass production and marketing.