Barron Associates’ BALCAP Balance Monitor Clinical Study Begins

Barron Associates developed a novel balance prosthesis for individuals with balance disorders. The BALCAP prosthesis provides feedback to wearers via a substitute sensory channel regarding head orientation and motion.  Such sensing emulates natural vestibular function; the head-mounted BALCAP gyroscopes sense rotational motions, similar to the semicircular canals, and the accelerometers sense gravity and translational acceleration, similar to the otoliths. The BALCAP prosthesis applies low-amplitude vibrotactile cues directly to the head via hatband tactors that provide the wearer with feedback. The BALCAP device clinical trial began in 2017 and will continue until mid-2018.