For decades, emergency protocols have warned against putting anything in the mouth during seizures—a well-intentioned approach that nevertheless left nearly 1 in 5 epilepsy patients vulnerable to preventable oral and maxillofacial injuries. Without an FDA-cleared solution, people have resorted to dangerous improvised methods. First responders have reported using wallets, dish rags, and other unsuitable items, while “bite sticks” and “oral screws” used by some EMS agencies actually cause more harm by breaking teeth. PATI represents a paradigm shift from the outdated “do nothing” standard to providing safe, effective protection.

“Having PATI now available and in the hands of healthcare providers, caregivers, and patients is the culmination of years of work driven by personal experience,” said Dr. Ashlyn Sanders, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of NeuroVice and a pediatric neurology resident at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Sanders lives with Chiari Malformation, a rare chronic neurological condition; following her diagnosis and emergency brain surgery, she experienced seizures, which are now well-controlled. “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’ve desperately needed. This device embodies the convergence of clinical expertise and lived patient experience—it emerged from genuine patient need.”