A Doctor's Battle Sparks Breakthrough in Seizure Safety

NEW YORK, NY – January 20, 2026 – For decades, the standard advice for assisting someone having a seizure has been stark: do not put anything in their mouth. Yet, for the 65 million people worldwide living with epilepsy, the risk of severe oral injury during a convulsion is a terrifying reality, leading desperate caregivers and even first responders to use dangerous, improvised objects. Now, a groundbreaking device, born from a doctor's personal struggle with seizures, is set to change that standard of care.

The PATI (Protector Against Tongue Injury) device from NeuroVice, the first FDA-cleared oral protector for seizure safety, is now available through the prescription management platform BlinkRx. This partnership aims to provide direct, affordable access and free home delivery, marking a pivotal moment in making this critical innovation available to patients and families who need it most.

A Personal Mission to Solve a Dangerous Problem

The story of PATI is inseparable from the story of its creator, Dr. Ashlyn Sanders. A pediatric neurology resident at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Dr. Sanders lives with seizures herself, a consequence of her Chiari Malformation diagnosis and subsequent brain surgery. Her experience provided a painful, firsthand understanding of a critical gap in seizure management.

"As someone who has experienced firsthand the fear and vulnerability that comes with having no safe option to protect against oral injury, I created PATI to empower patients and families with the tool they desperately need," said Dr. Sanders, who serves as Founder and Chief Medical Officer of NeuroVice.

This experience illuminated the conflict between medical guidance and real-world practice. While neurologists advise against inserting objects that could cause choking or dental damage, the impulse to prevent a loved one from biting their tongue or cheek is powerful. This has led to the use of spoons, wallets, and towels—items that can break teeth, obstruct airways, and cause more harm than good. Research indicates that oral and maxillofacial injuries are a common, preventable consequence, affecting nearly one in five epilepsy patients and often resulting in costly emergency room visits.

Fueled by her own vulnerability and her clinical expertise, Dr. Sanders set out to engineer a solution that was both safe and effective. The result, PATI, is designed to resolve this long-standing dilemma, offering a purpose-built tool that respects the complexities of a seizure while providing crucial protection.

From FDA Clearance to Patient Access

The journey from a personal concept to a market-ready medical device was a rigorous one, culminating in a significant regulatory milestone. In February 2023, the PATI device received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, classifying it as a Class II medical device. This clearance established PATI as substantially equivalent to a predicate device and validated its design for its intended use.

Indicated for individuals aged 12 and older, PATI is a single-use, disposable device meticulously designed to do more than just block a bite. Its patented structure protects the teeth, lips, and tongue from trauma. Crucially, it also assists with airway management—a key concern during a seizure. The device's channels allow saliva and other fluids to drain naturally or be suctioned, mitigating the risk of choking. Its material and form are engineered to withstand the powerful forces of a seizure without dislodging or breaking.

Securing FDA clearance was a monumental step, but making the device truly accessible to the 3.4 million people in the United States with epilepsy required a streamlined distribution channel. This is where the new partnership with BlinkRx becomes essential. By listing PATI on its platform, NeuroVice can now bypass many of the traditional hurdles that patients face when trying to obtain specialized medical equipment.

"We are proud to help NeuroVice bring an important prescription device to patients and their caregivers," said Manaw Mohan, BlinkRx Senior Vice President. “Through BlinkRx, prescribers have a straightforward way to order PATI, patients get clear pricing and free delivery, and our team supports the process from prescription to fulfillment.”

Redefining the Prescription Journey for Specialized Care

The collaboration between NeuroVice and BlinkRx signals a notable evolution in the digital health landscape. BlinkRx has positioned itself not merely as a drug discount service, but as a comprehensive "prescription journey management platform." Its stated mission is to improve patient access and adherence by tackling friction at every point in the process—for patients, doctors, and pharmacies alike.

While competitors like GoodRx and Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs Company have made significant inroads by focusing on price transparency and discounts, BlinkRx’s model emphasizes an integrated, service-oriented approach. The company reports that its platform leads to 52% more patients starting their prescribed therapy and a 40% increase in prescription fills being covered by insurance.

Adding a specialized medical device like PATI to its offerings is a strategic expansion beyond traditional pharmaceuticals. It demonstrates the platform's capability to manage the logistics of more complex prescriptions, which often involve different supplier and insurance pathways than standard pills. For patients, this translates into a simplified experience: a doctor prescribes PATI, the order is processed through BlinkRx, and the device arrives at their home for free, with pricing made clear upfront.

Furthermore, BlinkRx has committed to navigating the complexities of insurance coverage for the new device. Mohan noted that "as payer coverage pathways develop, BlinkRx will explore plan coverage and automatically push eligible savings to patients," a promise that could prove vital for ensuring long-term, affordable access for a chronic condition.

The Business of Empathy and a New Standard of Care

NeuroVice operates at the intersection of medical innovation and social entrepreneurship. The entire company team, according to its mission, has been personally impacted by seizures, creating a culture deeply rooted in empathy and patient-centric design. This mission has attracted significant support, including over $2 million in funding from angel investors, grants, and notable backers like former NBA star Charles Barkley.

This financial and strategic backing is crucial for a startup aiming to disrupt a long-entrenched standard of care. Beyond funding, NeuroVice has forged key partnerships with major hospital systems to validate and introduce PATI in clinical settings. Atrium Health, for example, began piloting the device in its inpatient units in late 2023, a critical step toward broader adoption by healthcare professionals.

By combining a founder’s authentic experience with rigorous engineering, FDA clearance, and a powerful distribution partnership, NeuroVice is making a compelling case for a new era in seizure safety. The availability of PATI through a platform like BlinkRx empowers not only patients and their families but also clinicians who have long sought a safe and effective tool for managing one of the most distressing aspects of a seizure. For millions, this innovation represents a move away from fear and helplessness toward proactive protection and peace of mind.