DUBLIN and SAN FRANCISCO, July 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), a global leader in medical technology, and Viz.ai, the emerging leader in applied artificial intelligence (AI) in stroke care, have partnered to accelerate the adoption of Viz.ai’s new technology, which helps synchronize stroke care and decrease time to treatment, potentially improving outcomes for patients.
Viz.ai’s technology uses artificial intelligence to identify suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes and automatically notify specialists. The Viz.ai software connects to hospital computed tomography (CT) scanners and alerts stroke specialists within minutes that a suspected LVO stroke has been identified, sending the radiological images directly to their smart phones where they can be viewed.Viz.ai enables a physician to provide the patient with the treatment they need as quickly as possible.
“Medtronic is an innovative company focused on therapies that extend life and restore health,” said Dr. Chris Mansi, neurosurgeon, co-founder and CEO of Viz.ai. “As the largest medical device company in the world, Medtronic is an ideal partner to help physicians access Viz.ai’s cutting-edge technology to ensure as many patients get the care they need as quickly as possible.”
Stroke is a serious and time-sensitive medical condition that requires emergency care and can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability and death. A stroke occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a portion of the brain is blocked. When this happens 2 million brain cells die every minute. It is the number-one cause of disability in the U.S. and the leading cause of death outside of the U.S.
“Viz.ai allows clinicians to receive an alert for suspected Large Vessel Occlusions and the corresponding visual data” said Dr. Elad Levy, chairman in the Department of Neurosurgery with the University at Buffalo's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and medical director of Neuroendovascular Services at Gates Vascular Institute. “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.”
Every two minutes someone in the U.S. has an LVO, but only an estimated 15 percent receive a potentially lifesaving mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally-invasive procedure that removes blood clots. A Viz.ai study in two centers showed that in 95.5 percent of true positive cases, its technology alerted the stroke specialist earlier than the standard of care, saving an average of 52 minutes.
