Ventru is an early-stage medical device company developing neurosurgical innovations that improve safety and accessibility, leading to better patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs

Ventru's novel Device for Intraventricular Entry (DIVE) assists surgeons with the safe placement of drains for patients suffering from hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus leads to increased intracranial pressure and an external ventricular drain (EVD) or ventricular-peritoneal shunt (VPS) is needed to drain excess CSF.

​However, the success of EVD/VPS requires accurate catheter placement. Currently, freehand techniques using anatomical landmarks have a variable success rate as low as 40%, requiring multiple catheter passes. Additionally, existing devices are cumbersome, non-adjustable, require a large incision, and have a tendency to allow catheter migration following placement.

Accuracy impacts patient outcomes

40%
misplacement rate

Difficult procedure at bedside
Head instability, awake patient, poor lighting

1.4 to 3 
​passes / procedure

Patients are at increased risk of hemorrhage, infection, delayed CSF draining,
​increased intracranial pressure and death

Ventru is improving the safety and accessibility of neurosurgery through device innovation

Our stereotactic guide, Device for Intraventricular Entry (DIVE), assists in the placement
​of ventricular catheters when an EVD or shunt is clinically required

Orthogonal Trajectory

Device enables alignment with the lateral ventricle for accurate placement 

Low Profile & Secure

Device is secured underneath the skin enabling the surgeon to use both hands for the procedure

Accommodates Existing Tools

Single use device designed to be compatible with standard catheters, drills, and other tools

Leadership

Bryan Humbarger
​Co-Founder & CEO

Bryan has spent over 20 years driving growth and adoption of innovative medical devices and technologies. Bryan most recently served as Sr. Vice President, Commercial for Eko, a digital auscultation and cardiac screening company. Prior to Eko, Bryan held various commercial leadership positions with surgical, therapeutic, and diagnostic companies, including Medtronic and HeartFlow. He holds a BS in Economics from the University of Delaware and a Masters of Leadership Development from Pennsylvania State University.

Rachel Blue, MD
​Co-Founder

​Neurosurgical Resident
Department of Neurosurgery
​University of Pennsylvania

Rachel obtained her undergraduate degree in molecular genetics at Ohio State University, medical degree at the University of Minnesota, and is in her neurosurgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania. She is completing an enfolded fellowship in neuro-oncology and skull base surgery in Wellington, New Zealand and a post-graduate fellowship in skull base surgery at the University of Colorado. She has research interests in the improvement of patient outcomes, surgical workflow and device innovation.

Michael Spadola, MD
​Co-Founder

​Neurosurgical Resident
Department of Neurosurgery
​University of Pennsylvania

Michael received both his BA and MD degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and is currently a neurosurgical resident at the University of Pennsylvania. He is completing an enfolded spine fellowship with a subspecialty interest in complex spine, spinal oncology, minimally invasive surgical techniques and surgical innovation.

Bhavana Mohanraj, PhD
​Board Member

Bhavana received her BS in Biomedical Engineering from Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute and her PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as Director of R&D at Biorez, a medical device company developing resorbable implants to treat tendon and ligament injuries. As Associate Director with the Penn Center for Innovation Ventures group, Bhavana helps early stage companies navigate the path from technological innovation to product commercialization. 

Contact Us

info@ventrumed.com
3401 Grays Ferry Ave, Building 450, Suite 1076, Philadelphia PA 19146