Samuel R. Browd
Dr. Samuel R. Browd, MD, PhD, is an American pediatric neurosurgeon, inventor, and entrepreneur known for his contributions to medical technology and digital therapeutics.[1] He serves as a professor of neurological surgery at the University of Washington and as an attending neurosurgeon at Seattle Children's Hospital. Dr. Browd is also the co-founder of DeepWell DTx, a digital therapeutics company that received FDA clearance for its software development kit aimed at mental health applications.
Early life and education
Dr. Browd completed a combined M.D. and Ph.D. through the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Florida, focusing on neuroplasticity and learning.[1] He completed a seven-year neurosurgery residency at the University of Utah, followed by a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital.[2]
Academic and clinical career
Browd joined the University of Washington faculty, where he serves as a Professor of Neurological Surgery with adjunct appointments in bioengineering and sports medicine.[1] At Seattle Children’s Hospital, he is an attending neurosurgeon and directs the Hydrocephalus and Sports Concussion Programs.[2] He served as Director of The Sports Institute at UW Medicine from 2018 to 2025, leading interdisciplinary research and advocacy on concussion prevention and youth sports safety.[3][4]
Browd’s research focuses on hydrocephalus, neuroengineering, and artificial intelligence in surgical visualization. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications; his Google Scholar profile lists an h-index in the mid-40s.[5]
Innovation and entrepreneurship
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Brown has co-founded multiple medical and technology companies translating academic research into practical tools for neurosurgery, brain health, and digital medicine.
VICIS (2013–2020)
In 2013, Browd co-founded VICIS, Inc., a helmet-technology company spun out of the University of Washington that developed the ZERO1 football helmet to reduce head-impact forces and concussion risk.[6] Serving as Chief Medical Officer, he helped guide early testing and commercialization. VICIS helmets appeared on TIME lists of notable inventions in 2017 (ZERO1), 2019 (ZERO1 Youth), and 2021 (Zero2 Trench).[7][8]
Aqueduct Neurosciences / Aqueduct Critical Care (2011–2018)
In 2011, Browd co-founded Aqueduct Neurosciences, Inc. to commercialize an automated cerebrospinal-fluid drainage system developed at the University of Washington. The Smart External Drain (SED) received FDA 510(k) clearances in 2016–2018 under Aqueduct Critical Care.[9][10][11]
Proprio (2016–present)
In 2016, Browd co-founded Proprio, Inc. to create real-time 3D surgical visualization systems integrating computer vision, light-field imaging, and artificial intelligence.[12] The company’s Paradigm platform received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2023, followed by a second clearance in 2025.[13][14][15]
DeepWell Therapeutics (2022–present)
In 2022, Browd co-founded DeepWell Digital Therapeutics (DeepWell DTx) alongside Devolver Digital co-founder Mike Wilson and medtech entrepreneur Ryan Douglas.[16][17] DeepWell develops video game–based therapeutic tools using biofeedback and neuromodulation to improve mental health, stress resilience, and cardiovascular regulation. In 2024, DeepWell received FDA 510(k) clearance for its biofeedback software development kit (SDK) indicated for stress reduction and as an adjunctive treatment for hypertension.[18][19] As of 2022, the company reported more than 40 collaborators from gaming and neuroscience, including Tom Hall, Zoe Flower, Rami Ismail, Lorne Lanning, and American McGee.[20]
Neufluent (2022–present)
Browd serves as Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Neufluent, a neurotechnology venture studio focused on accelerating the development and commercialization of systems for neurological diagnosis and treatment.[21] The studio partners with academic institutions and startups to advance technologies in neuromodulation, neuroimaging, and brain-computer interface applications.
Honors and recognition
- Innovator of the Year, Congress of Neurological Surgeons (2021).[22]
- Inventor of the Year, University of Washington CoMotion (2016).[23]
- TIME Best/Top Inventions lists for VICIS helmets (2017, 2019, 2021).[6][7][8]
- TIME Best Inventions for Proprio Paradigm[24]
Professional activities
Browd is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics.[2] He serves on committees of the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF).[25] He has served as an unaffiliated neurological consultant to the National Football League and as an independent neurological consultant to the Seattle Seahawks.[26]
Intellectual property
Browd is listed as an inventor on numerous U.S. and international patents covering neurosurgical implants, drainage systems, and surgical visualization technologies.[5] Some have been licensed through the University of Washington’s CoMotion innovation program.[26]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Samuel R. Browd, MD, PhD". UW Department of Neurological Surgery. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Samuel R Browd, MD, PhD". Seattle Children’s. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "The Sports Institute announces new director". UW Medicine Newsroom. December 18, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "The Sports Institute joins the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine". University of Washington. July 1, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Samuel R. Browd — Google Scholar". Google Scholar. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "The 25 Best Inventions of 2017". TIME. 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "The 100 Best Inventions of 2019 — VICIS ZERO1 Youth". TIME. 2019. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 "VICIS Zero2 Trench: The 100 Best Inventions of 2021". TIME. November 10, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "K161605 — Smart External Drain (SED) System". FDA 510(k) database. October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "K171586 — Smart External Drain (SED) System" (PDF). FDA 510(k). June 30, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "K181301 — Smart External Drain (SED) System" (PDF). FDA 510(k). June 14, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ Schroeder, Alan Boyle (January 25, 2023). "Seattle startup aims to change surgery using AI, computer vision and augmented reality". GeekWire. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Seattle startup gets FDA clearance for new surgical imaging tool". Axios. April 28, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "K243258 — Paradigm System (Proprio)". FDA 510(k) database. February 21, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Proprio receives second FDA clearance for AI platform that captures key data during surgery". GeekWire. April 8, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ Morris, Chris (March 16, 2022). "This startup is using video games to treat health conditions". Fast Company. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "DeepWell DTx is a therapy-focused game studio from the co-founder of Devolver Digital". Engadget. March 15, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "K233580 — A Breathing System (ABS)". FDA 510(k) database. August 1, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "FDA clears DeepWell Digital Therapeutics software development kit for stress and hypertension". Medical Design & Outsourcing. September 9, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "DeepWell Digital Therapeutics reimagines the 'power of play'". GamesHub. March 16, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Neufluent". Company website. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Innovator of the Year Award". Congress of Neurological Surgeons. January 22, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Inventor of the Year". UW Medicine Research & Graduate Education. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ "TIME Best Inventions of 2025". TIME. Oct. 9, 2025. Retrieved Oct. 9, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help); Check date values in:|access-date=, |date=(help) - ↑ "Education Committee". NREF. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Samuel R. Browd". UW CoMotion. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
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