Bringing personalized neuromodulation to scale.
Skaaltec AG is developing SmartVNS, a neuroscience-inspired wearable system for upper limb neurorehabilitation after stroke. The system is designed for patient self-administration in the clinical and home environment, enabling rehabilitation at the frequency and duration shown to drive neuroplastic change.
The Problem
Stroke is the leading cause of acquired disability in adults. While intensive early rehabilitation can drive meaningful recovery, the majority of patients reach a functional plateau that conventional therapy cannot overcome. An estimated 7.1 million patients in the US and Europe live with significant chronic upper limb impairment, with limited access to evidence-based neuromodulatory interventions.
SmartVNS
SmartVNS is a wearable device delivering transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) paired with upper limb rehabilitation exercises. By targeting the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the ear, it activates the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system and promotes activity-dependent plasticity in motor cortex, without the risks or access barriers of implantable systems.
The device is purpose-built for independent use by patients at home, without requiring clinical supervision for each session. SmartVNS is designed so that patients can don, operate, and complete sessions independently, enabling the therapy frequency and duration that drive neuroplastic change.
Origins
Skaaltec was spun out of the ETH Zürich Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory in early 2026. The company was co-founded by Dane Donegan, PhD, Paulius Viskaitis, PhD, Max Quast, and Prof. Olivier Lambercy and joined by Reda Fornera.
The translational path from lab prototype to wearable home device reflects a broader mission as part of RELab: to close the gap between what neuroscience knows about plasticity and recovery, and what stroke survivors can actually access.