MedTech Innovator

CytoVeris is a company focused on developing optical-based technologies to assist surgical oncologists in identifying and removing tumor tissue during cancer resection surgeries. Founded in 2018 by Alan Kersey in Farmington, Connecticut, CytoVeris aims to enhance the surgeon's ability to achieve clean margins, thereby improving patient outcomes. The company’s devices facilitate real-time assessment of tissue and generate molecular-specific information by detecting unique signatures created by cancer cells that alter cellular metabolic processes. This includes variations in lipids, proteins, and metabolites, which can be identified using their OncoMap system. By providing oncologists with critical information during surgery, CytoVeris seeks to reduce healthcare costs associated with repeat surgeries.

DiaMonTech AG is a medical technology company based in Berlin, Germany, focused on developing non-invasive diagnostic devices for blood glucose monitoring. Founded in 2015, the company utilizes a proprietary laser-based photo-thermal detection technology to measure glucose levels without the need for blood draws or finger pricking, thereby offering a painless alternative for diabetes management. DiaMonTech's product lineup includes the D-BASE, a device designed for human trials, the D-pocket, a compact personal device for frequent glucose tracking, and the D-BAND, a wearable device that continuously monitors blood sugar levels. Through its innovative solutions, DiaMonTech aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals managing diabetes.

Digma Medical is a clinical stage medical device company established in 2013, focused on innovating treatments for Type-2 Diabetes and related metabolic syndromes, including NASH. The company is developing the DiaGone™, an endoscopic and disposable device that employs advanced laser technology to treat the duodenum without the need for an implant. The Duodenal Glycemic Control™ procedure, which lasts approximately 30 minutes, allows gastroenterologists to use the DiaGone™ to enhance the body's ability to regulate glucose levels. This approach aims to offer patients the potential for long-term remission from Type-2 Diabetes and other metabolic conditions, thereby improving their overall quality of life and health outcomes. Supported by prominent venture capital firms, Digma Medical is dedicated to advancing effective therapies for diabetes management.

Oxford Endovascular is focused on developing an innovative medical device for the treatment of brain aneurysms. The company's technology employs a laser-cut metal alloy with shape-memory properties, which can be inserted into a patient's brain via a catheter. Once in place, the device expands into a tiny mesh tube, known as a flow diverter, that conforms to the natural shape of the blood vessel. This design effectively diverts blood flow away from the aneurysm, facilitating its healing and reducing the risk of rupture. By utilizing advanced origami engineering, Oxford Endovascular aims to enhance patient outcomes and improve survival rates for those affected by intracranial aneurysms.

Deneb Medical is a start-up focused on creating a robotic platform intended for various surgical applications, including neurosurgery, cranio-maxillofacial surgery, head and neck surgery, urology, and general surgery. The company's technology centers around a laser-based robotic surgery system that assists surgeons, particularly in spine surgery, by utilizing optical and photonic techniques for tissue ablation. This innovative system enhances surgical precision and efficiency through features such as three-dimensional visualization and augmented reality guidance, ultimately aiming to facilitate minimally invasive procedures and improve patient outcomes.

Innoblative Designs, Inc. is a medical device company based in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 2013, the company specializes in developing advanced electrosurgical devices, particularly focusing on radiofrequency ablation technology. One of its key innovations is the Sira™ device, a saline-assisted intraoperative radiofrequency ablation tool that employs bipolar current to create a controlled zone of ablation. Sira's unique design, featuring a saline microinfusion system, enhances contact with target tissue and is compatible with standard electrosurgical generators already utilized in operating rooms. This technology offers surgeons a new, effective option for intraoperative ablation of soft tissue, promoting ease of use and adoption in surgical practices.

Avenda Health Inc. develops an artificial intelligence-based focal laser ablation system specifically for treating prostate cancer. The system integrates a fiber-optic laser, a disposable sensor, and a feedback control mechanism, along with software that combines prostate imaging and biopsy data. This technology allows for the treatment of cancer under local anesthesia, utilizing magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion for enhanced image guidance. Incorporated in 2017 and based in Santa Monica, California, Avenda Health has also created an AI decision support platform, known as Unfold AI, which generates synthetic spatial maps of cancer. This platform synthesizes a patient's diagnostic information, including imaging and pathology, to assist surgeons and oncologists in making better-informed decisions, ultimately aiming to improve clinical outcomes for patients.

Enspectra Health, based in Mountain View, California, specializes in developing advanced imaging systems for medical applications. The company has created the first hand-held multiphoton imager for human use, enabling real-time imaging of live cellular anatomy beneath the skin. Its innovative device combines reflectance confocal and multiphoton laser scanning microscopy to produce multispectral images that reveal details not visible to the naked eye. This technology aids researchers and dermatologists in examining the structure and function of various tissues, including muscle, tendon, cartilage, and skin, thereby enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions, particularly skin cancers. Enspectra Health aims to simplify the evaluation process for physicians and improve patient outcomes through its cutting-edge imaging solutions.