Time Is Brain (TiB) is a health-tech startup committed to speeding up and improving acute stroke treatment through better brain monitoring. Founded by stroke neurologists, TiB embodies the medical maxim “time is brain,” creating a device called BraiN20® which provides real-time, point-of-care neurological monitoring analogous to an “ECG for the brain”. BraiN20 is a portable, wearable system that can detect brain ischemia in the crucial early minutes, helping doctors make faster decisions when a stroke strikes.

BraiN20 consists of a headset or electrode cap that a paramedic or clinician can quickly place on a suspected stroke patient’s head. This device uses electroencephalography (EEG) and possibly other biosignals to continuously monitor brain activity during transport and in the ER. Proprietary algorithms analyze the EEG for patterns of reduced cortical activity or asymmetries that indicate a large vessel occlusion or spreading depolarizations from a severe stroke. The output is a simple risk assessment or alert that a major stroke is in progress. Additionally, once treatment begins (e.g. thrombolysis or thrombectomy), the device can monitor improvements or signs of secondary complications like hemorrhagic transformation. Essentially, it provides a window into the brain’s status in real-time, whereas currently clinicians must rely on intermittent imaging and clinical exam. TiB’s device is battery powered, rugged, and connects to a mobile app or hospital monitors, making it suitable for ambulance use and at the bedside without hindering standard care.

In pre-hospital care, paramedics could use BraiN20 to triage patients – if the device suggests a large stroke, they might divert directly to a comprehensive stroke center that can do thrombectomy, shaving off critical minutes. In the emergency department, the device can alert if a stroke is worsening or if a second stroke occurs while waiting for imaging or ICU transfer. It’s also useful in resource-limited settings as a quick screening tool where CT/MRI might not be immediately available. Furthermore, during post-stroke recovery, continuous brain monitoring could personalize rehab or detect dangerous post-stroke seizures. By providing objective brain data rapidly, Time Is Brain augments clinical judgement with an innovative diagnostic, aiming to reduce door-to-treatment times and improve outcomes in stroke – where every minute saved can mean millions of neurons preserved. This technology is part of a broader trend of mobilizing diagnostics, and in stroke care it fills a crucial gap between symptom onset and imaging confirmation, truly reflecting its name and mission.