Using AI for intravascular ultrasound, Evident Vascular launches with $35M
The Evident Vascular Guidance System uses artificial intelligence to enable better imaging quality
Arterial and deep venous disease are on the rise: more than 21 million people in the U.S. had peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in 2020, a number that's expected to rise to 24 million by 2030, while over 2 million peripheral vascular interventions were performed. It's estimated that more than 3 million procedures will be performed annually by 2030.
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a transcatheter intravascular imaging technique that can acquire images from inside blood vessels. While initially developed for coronary procedures, Evident Vascular, which officially launched out of stealth on Tuesday with $35 million in Series A funding, is developing technology to expand that to vascular applications as well.
The company's IVUS platform, the Evident Vascular Guidance System uses artificial intelligence to enable better imaging quality, interpretation guidance, ease of use, and navigation of peripheral vasculature.
Leveraging AI, Evident Vascular’s technology has been designed to expand adoption of IVUS, the company is also developing the capacity to dianose coronary procedures as well.
“Legacy IVUS platforms were originally designed primarily for coronary procedures and secondarily for peripheral vascular applications. Shortcomings in image quality, interpretation, and workflow have limited the widespread adoption of IVUS despite its clinical benefit, and there has been minimal innovation to address these limitations,” said Howard Rosen, CEO and co-founder of Evident Vascular, said in a statement.
“Along with my co-founders, Chief Technology Officer Patrick Phillips, Ph.D., and Chief Product Officer Danielo Piazza, our team is pioneering the future of intravascular imaging with a platform optimized for peripheral vascular procedures that will enable improved image interpretation guidance, and ease of use enhancements throughout the clinical workflow.”
The sole investor in Evident's new funding round was Vensana Capital.
“The impetus to launch Evident Vascular was born out of the Vensana team’s extensive experience in the vascular space. Our team has partnered with entrepreneurs across multiple emerging therapeutic categories in vascular disease over the last two decades, including endovascular aortic aneurysm grafts, drug-coated balloons, venous stents, arterial tacks, and thrombectomy devices,” Justin Klein, MD, JD, Managing Partner at Vensana Capital, said in a statement.
“Intravascular ultrasound is ripe for innovation. Evident Vascular is addressing a critical need in the IVUS market, making it an ideal company to add to our vascular technology innovations.”
(Image source: evidentvascular.com)
