Founded in Philadelphia in 2022 as a spin-out of the Penn Center for Innovation, Ventru makes the DIVE Guide, a device designed to help neurosurgeons place external ventricular drains more safely and accurately. The company was founded by neurosurgeons Rachel Blue and Michael Spadola after their early training exposed the limitations of freehand intraventricular access, alongside medical-device commercial veteran Bryan Humbarger. In a 50-patient IRB-approved study, Ventru reports a 100% drain-placement rate with an average of one catheter pass.
CerespectusFounded by interventional neuroradiologist Bryan Pukenas, MD, and medical-device executive Kamna Giare-Patel, Cerespectus is a Philadelphia medical-device company focused on making central nervous system gene-therapy delivery safer and more accessible. Its developing Esperanza catheter is designed for targeted treatment delivery through lumbar access, with the aim of helping more physicians perform the procedure. The device is not FDA cleared or commercially available.PHILADELPHIA, PA
HeadStrait LabsHeadStrait Labs, founded by biomedical engineers Alyssa Theroux and Mary Squire after meeting in class, develops patient-centered emergency-transport devices for head and neck stabilization. Its EVAC-1 combines an adjustable splint with SMARTmotion sensors that track movement and provide real-time feedback, giving care teams information to support safer transport and post-event review. The Pittsburgh startup has received $225,000 in local backing since 2023 and was named a 2025 UpPrize semifinalist.PITTSBURGH, PA
Respair, IncBorn from University of Pittsburgh clinical research, Pittsburgh-based Respair develops airway devices for ventilated patients, beginning with RelianceET, a breathing tube designed to replace the conventional inflatable cuff with soft baffles that seal the airway without added pressure. Founded by physicians Carl Snyderman and Garrett Coyan, the company brings surgeons, engineers, and entrepreneurs together to address ventilator-associated complications. Respair completed hundreds of benchtop tests and received a Phase I SBIR award from the NIH while advancing the device toward regulatory submission.PITTSBURGH, PA
Actuated Medical, IncFounded in 2006, Bellefonte-based Actuated Medical develops medical devices that improve precision access to deep brain targets, led by its NeuralGlider® platform for brain-directed therapy delivery. The company’s motion-based technology has been developed and validated over more than a decade, supporting research groups worldwide as Actuated advances applications in neurosurgery and neurotechnology. Actuated Medical operates a 20,000-square-foot facility and is ISO 13485 certified, FDA registered, and recognized as a Woman Owned Small Business.BELLEFONTE, PA