Artificial intelligence care coordination company Viz.ai landed an FDA 510(k) clearance for its new algorithm designed to detect cerebral aneurysms. Dubbed Viz Aneurysm, the technology was designed to pinpoint the condition from CT scans.

The new algorithm will fit into Viz Intelligent Care Coordination Platform, and be used to help streamline getting detected aneurysm into the clinical workflow. In a pilot study, conducted by the University of Toronto, "data analysis demonstrated 94% accuracy of the algorithm", according to a press statement. 

"The Viz.ai aneurysm algorithm was able to detect cerebral aneurysms in consecutive CTAs. The model has demonstrated that a deep learning AI algorithm can achieve clinically useful levels of accuracy for clinical decision support and will help us to improve how we help aneurysm patients,” Dr. Vitor Mendes Pereira, director of Endovascular Research and Innovation, University of Toronto, said in a statement. 

WHY IT MATTERS 

According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, 6.5 million people in the U.S. have an unruptured brain aneurysm. Each year about 30,000 patients in the U.S. have a brain aneurysm rupture. 

Viz.ai is pitching its new algorithm as a way to help catch cerebral aneurysms earlier on. 

“Viz ANEURYSM has the potential to significantly increase the number of aneurysms detected and clinically followed,” Jayme Strauss, chief clinical officer, Viz.ai, said in a statement. “The combination of detection with an ability to schedule patients for neurovascular specialist follow-up is an important advancement for aneurysm patients, helping patients obtain the necessary follow-up from this potentially deadly disease and driving improved outcomes on the population health level.”

THE LARGER TREND 

In March of 2021 Viz.ai scored $71 million in Series C funding, bringing its total funding raise to $150 million. The company landed an FDA De Novo in 2018 for its Viz.ai Contact, a clinical decision-support tool that analyzes CT scans and flags a detected stroke. 

Viz.ai isn't the only digital health company working on stroke care. MindRhythms, a stroke-triage company, launched its multicenter clinical trial research in April of 2021. Additionally BrainQ, a company that uses AI to deliver electromagnetic field therapy to stroke patients through a wearable, landed an FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2021.