Medtronic and Viz.ai, a growing leader in artificial intelligence, are collaborating on a new software to automatically alert specialists when a stroke is identified during a CT scan.
The technology uses AI to identify suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes, alerting stroke specialists within minutes, while sending the scan in question directly to the clinicians’ smartphone, according to the announcement from Medtronic.
LVOs can lead to permanent neurological damage when not caught early, but only an estimated 15% of patients receive potentially life-saving mechanical thrombectomy. Automating the stroke detection process could cut time to treatment and potentially improve patient outcomes, according to the July 22 announcement.
“Viz.ai allows clinicians to receive an alert for suspected Large Vessel Occlusions and the corresponding visual data” said Elad Levy, MD, chairman of the department of neurosurgery at the University of Buffalo, who has no financial ties to Viz.ai, in a statement. “The combination of AI powered alerts, mobile image viewing, and HIPAA compliant communication facilitates synchronization of stroke care with great potential to impactfully reduce door-to-needle time and help an increased number of patients.”
The LVO detection and triage software is currently available in more than 200 hospitals, the partnership will seek to expand the offering to every stroke center in the U.S.
“We are excited about this partnership because Viz.ai’s technology has the potential to significantly reduce the time it takes for patients suspected of LVO stroke to receive the care they need,” said Stacey Pugh, vice president and general manager of Medtronic’s Neurovascular business, which is part of the restorative therapies group at Medtronic, in the statement. “Viz.ai’s software coupled with our network is going to increase access to needed therapies.”
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.