DeltaScan · Project

Portable Brain Monitor That Detects Delirium in Hospital Patients Within Minutes

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Imagine millions of elderly hospital patients whose brains temporarily short-circuit — they get confused, agitated, or dangerously quiet — and nobody catches it because nurses only have paper checklists to work with. A Dutch company built a small, portable brain-wave scanner that nurses can use during regular bedside rounds, just like taking blood pressure. It picks up delirium faster and more reliably than any checklist, which matters because every extra day of undetected delirium raises the chance of dementia or death. This project tested the device across hospitals in three countries to prove it works in real clinical settings and get it ready for widespread adoption.

By the numbers

3 million

Europeans affected by delirium annually

€173 billion

Societal cost of delirium

EUR 2,994,425

EU contribution to the project

Consortium partners across 3 countries

SMEs in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Delirium — acute brain failure — hits at least 3 million Europeans every year, especially hospitalized elderly and ICU patients, costing society approximately €173 billion. Nurses currently rely on subjective checklists that miss the majority of cases, leaving patients undetected and untreated. Each additional day of delirium increases the risk of dementia or death, making early detection a critical unmet need in hospital care.

The solution

What was built

Prolira BV developed DeltaScan, a portable EEG-based bedside monitor that nurses can use during routine checks to objectively detect delirium — replacing subjective paper checklists with a brain activity scan as simple as measuring blood pressure. The project clinically validated the device across academic hospitals in three countries and prepared for full-scale market launch.

Audience

Who needs this

Hospital groups and health systems with geriatric and ICU wardsMedical device distributors serving European hospital marketsElderly care and nursing home operatorsHealth insurance companies looking to reduce delirium-related costsHospital procurement and patient safety officers

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Hospital operations and patient safety

enterprise

Target: Hospital groups and health systems managing acute care wards and ICUs

If you are a hospital group dealing with undetected delirium in elderly patients — this project developed a portable EEG-based bedside monitor that nurses can use during routine checks to catch delirium early. With at least 3 million Europeans affected yearly and delirium costing society approximately €173 billion, early detection means shorter stays, fewer complications, and lower liability. The device was clinically tested across hospitals in three countries.

Medical device distribution

mid-size

Target: Medical device distributors and procurement companies serving European hospitals

If you are a medical device distributor looking for validated hospital products — this project produced a market-ready portable EEG monitor backed by clinical evidence from academic hospitals in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The DeltaScan device fills a gap where no objective bedside tool existed before, replacing subjective checklists. With a 7-partner consortium including 3 SMEs and 4 university hospitals, the clinical validation pathway is well-documented.

Elderly care and nursing home management

any

Target: Nursing home chains and elderly care facility operators

If you are an elderly care operator facing rising delirium rates in aging populations — this project developed a simple brain-scanning tool that nursing staff can operate without specialized training. Delirium affects millions of hospitalized elderly each year, and each day of delirium increases the risk of dementia or death. Early detection through DeltaScan could reduce emergency hospital transfers, improve patient outcomes, and lower your care costs.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does DeltaScan cost and what is the pricing model?

Specific device pricing is not disclosed in the project data. The EU contributed EUR 2,994,425 to develop and clinically validate the technology. For commercial pricing, you would need to contact Prolira BV directly — as an SME focused on this single product, they are likely offering device purchase or lease models to hospitals.

Is this ready for large-scale hospital deployment?

Yes, the project was specifically funded under Fast Track to Innovation (FTI) to move from clinical testing to full-scale market launch. The consortium implemented DeltaScan into routine care across academic hospitals in three countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany) to evaluate real-world effects and capture benefits. The project explicitly aimed to become the Gold Standard in delirium detection and be included in clinical guidelines.

Who owns the IP and can I license DeltaScan?

Prolira BV, the Dutch SME that created DeltaScan, coordinates the project and holds the core technology. They developed the portable EEG-based device before the project began. Licensing or distribution inquiries should be directed to Prolira BV in the Netherlands.

What clinical evidence supports this device?

The project tested DeltaScan across academic hospitals in three European countries (NL, BE, DE) with Key Opinion Leaders in delirium care. The consortium included 4 university hospitals that implemented the device into routine care to quantify concrete benefits. Based on available project data, the clinical testing was designed specifically to achieve market acceptance.

How does this compare to current delirium detection methods?

Currently, nurses rely on subjective checklists to detect delirium, which leaves the majority of cases undetected and untreated. DeltaScan replaces these checklists with an objective portable EEG measurement that scans brain activity at the bedside, similar in simplicity to measuring blood pressure. The project describes this as moving from subjective screening to an objective vital-sign approach.

What is the market size for this technology?

The project data states that at least 3 million Europeans are affected by delirium annually, with societal costs of approximately €173 billion. The primary market is hospitalized elderly and ICU patients, and this problem will grow with aging populations. Every hospital with elderly or ICU patients is a potential customer.

How quickly can staff be trained to use DeltaScan?

Based on available project data, the device was designed for use by nurses during regular bedside checks without requiring specialized EEG expertise. The project describes the measurement as a simple step comparable to taking blood pressure. Detailed training timelines are not specified in the project data.

Consortium

Who built it

The 7-partner consortium is well-structured for a medical device market entry, with a clear split between the technology side (3 SMEs including coordinator Prolira BV) and clinical validation (4 university hospitals across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany). The 43% industry ratio is strong for a health technology project. Prolira BV as coordinator and device creator holds the commercial drive, while the academic hospitals in three countries provide the clinical credibility and multi-site validation data that hospital procurement teams and regulators require. The geographic spread across NL, BE, and DE gives immediate market access to three of Europe's strongest healthcare markets.

UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM UTRECHTparticipant · NL
CHARITE - UNIVERSITAETSMEDIZIN BERLINparticipant · DE
KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVENparticipant · BE
ACADEMISCH MEDISCH CENTRUM BIJ DE UNIVERSITEIT VAN AMSTERDAMparticipant · NL

How to reach the team

Prolira BV is a Dutch SME and the device manufacturer — look for their commercial team via deltascanproject.eu or prolira.com

Order a report on this consortium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the DeltaScan team? SciTransfer can connect you with the right person at Prolira BV for distribution, licensing, or pilot discussions.

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