From clinic to home: Neuroblast transforms neurorehabilitation with Microsoft Azure

When Marija Grujic was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after childbirth, her life took an unexpected turn. Marija attended specialized neurorehabilitation clinics that used gamified rehabilitation to stimulate her vision and encourage physical activity. "I was much better after one month course of rehabilitation. I had much more strength, and my walking was noticeably better," recalls Marija Grujic, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Neuroblast. “But two months later, my condition started to deteriorate again.”

“Treating neurodegenerative diseases can be costly and complex,” adds Marko Grujic, Marija’s husband and Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Neuroblast. “For one, you need to constantly go to rehab clinics. Then there’s also prescription medication which sometimes has unwanted side effects. After all that, you’re not even sure if the therapies will be effective.”

Marko was determined to find a way to help Marija. Observing the clinics' methods, the Grujics noticed that while the mechanics and workouts were effective, the games lacked engagement and there was no feedback mechanism to monitor cognitive changes. Marko, a hardware and software engineer with over 20 years of experience, decided to leverage his expertise to create a home-based solution for Marija. 

This became the start of Neuroblast. Grujics assembled a team that included specialists in electronics and biomechanics. Within a few months, the group developed the first prototypes of their rehabilitative devices. Marija soon began using the prototypes at home alongside personalized training programs on a Neuroblast developed interface, experiencing improvements without the high daily clinic costs. The devices include a standing board to train strength and stability, as well as a 3D camera that tracks finger and hand movement to ensure she performs her exercises correctly.

Finding critical support on multiple fronts

To bring Neuroblast’s solutions to more people, Marko needed robust technological support and decided to work with Microsoft to develop its devices. The company implemented Visual Studio to write code and develop its Unity video games. GitHub Enterprise was also important for storing and managing code, while Microsoft Azure became the main cloud system for Neuroblast, which the company used to host its app. 

"It’s really helpful to have all the services we need in one ecosystem," Marko Grujic notes. The Grujics also found financial and mentoring support through the Microsoft Founders Hub, which enabled the team to grow and scale. Being part of the Founders Hub helped Marko navigate the startup ecosystem. He gained access to expert engineers for technical advice and picked up practical tips from other founders within the program.

"Everyone was saying that I needed to show a business plan, map projections, and more. I knew what we wanted to achieve but struggled with getting all the paperwork done,” recalls Marko. “With help from more experienced founders, as well as Microsoft 365 Copilot, I’m able to draft the presentations and documentation for all the various institutions, programs, and conferences with ease," he shares.

Helping people across the world

With a vision to serve customers all over the world, Neuroblast carefully considered how it could make its application accessible while protecting and storing medical data appropriately. “We chose to host all of our programs on Azure, which ensures that personal information is stored in data centers based on the user’s nationality and complies with the local data residency laws,” explains Marko. 

Neuroblast was founded with a clear focus—to develop a suite of devices that assist persons with neurodegenerative disorders, as well as their healthcare providers, in rehabilitation. Early in its journey, the company developed Motus, a controller that can be worn on the hand, foot, or leg. The device tracks movement in 3D space, translating it into a video game for users to engage in interactive exercises that promote coordination and mobility.

The company then went on to develop two other devices. Visio, a visual hand-tracking device; and Terra, a smart carpet that measures pressure to gauge muscle strength. Alongside these devices, Neuroblast introduced brain wave scanning to measure the effectiveness of rehabilitation exercises. The company uses artificial intelligence (AI) to ingest and analyze data, which is collected every time a person uses one of their devices. Marko says, "We knew that analyzing six months of daily exercise data manually just wouldn’t be sustainable. Azure OpenAI Service enables us to process data efficiently and personalize reports.”

Motivating patients to stay active

Since its inception, Neuroblast has developed several devices to aid rehabilitation for persons with neurodegenerative disorders, as well as their healthcare providers. These devices are integrated with interactive video games, enabling Neuroblast to enhance patient engagement while potentially providing valuable up-to-date information to healthcare providers. Neuroblast’s holistic approach aims to improve the effectiveness of rehabilitation and reduce the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. For people with neurodegenerative diseases like Marija, the impact of Neuroblast can be life changing.

"I told my doctors about Neuroblast two years ago when I started using the prototype," Marija recalls. Initially, her doctors were skeptical. Soon, these same physicians realized that the devices kept her motivated to be active and contributed to positive outcomes. Marija has seen significant improvements since using Neuroblast devices. "I’m walking now, working out at the gym, and going out of the house every day. Three years ago, this wasn’t possible. Sometimes, I couldn’t even get out of bed," she shares.

This positive result is, in part, because Neuroblast’s rehabilitative exercise programs adapt to each person’s condition by relying on AI to adjust difficulty levels. "We don’t want the game to overwhelm users. If it recognizes that you’re having a bad day—which often happens with neurodegenerative diseases—it will automatically decrease the difficulty of the game," Marko notes. “Alternatively, if you’re doing really well, the game will increase the difficulty, because nobody wants to work out if it doesn’t feel rewarding.” 

Future plans and collaborations

Neuroblast is focused on expanding its impact and refining its technology, while still relying on Microsoft solutions.  Neuroblast plans to conduct a study with customers using its devices, to determine if they contribute to higher activation of the cerebral cortex—the part of the brain that regulates conscious activity—during rehabilitation, which would indicate improved outcomes. 

Neuroblast is also exploring innovative applications for its technology. "Two months ago, we were contacted by an institute in Serbia, asking if Visio—Neuroblast’s hand tracking device—could be used to monitor surgeons’ hands during operations," Marko says. This collaboration could lead to enhanced surgical training through virtual environments, where students could practice complex procedures using Visio camera and tailored surgical scenarios based on Neuroblast’s game architecture.

For Marija, the accessibility of Neuroblast devices and solutions is the main priority. "We gladly work with clinics and pharmaceutical companies, but we don’t have exit plans like many other startups. This is a deeply personal endeavor, and we want to bring the benefits that I enjoy at home to as many people as we can,” she concludes. 

Discover more about Neuroblast on LinkedIn.

The information provided in this case study is for informational purposes only. Neuroblast and Microsoft make no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information contained herein. The case study is based on the experiences and outcomes of Neuroblast and may not be representative of all users' experiences.

The use of Microsoft Azure and related technologies in medical diagnostics is subject to various regulatory requirements and should be implemented in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The results and improvements mentioned in this case study are specific to Neuroblast and may vary for other users.

This case study does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare professionals for medical concerns. Neuroblast and Microsoft disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of the information provided in this case study.