Abbott receives FDA clearance for AI-powered heart imaging software

"Abbott landed FDA clearance for its imaging software, which employs artificial intelligence to give doctors a clearer look at blood flow and blockages in heart vessels.

The Ultreon 1.0 Software pairs optical coherence tomography with AI to help physicians make decisions about next steps for treatment.

"As cardiologists continue to adopt OCT and move away from traditional imaging methods such as angiography, emerging technologies are pivotal to determine the best course of patient care," Dr. Nick West, chief medical officer and divisional vice president of global medical affairs at Abbott's vascular business, said in a statement.

"AI enables Ultreon Software to automatically detect calcium and vessel diameters, allowing doctors to put stents exactly where they are needed."

This is Abbott’s second FDA clearance this week. The company’s FreeStyle Libre 2 got the greenlight to allow users with diabetes to access their glucose levels on their iPhones without a reader.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Ultreon software has already received CE Mark clearance in Europe, and the technology was introduced to the Royal Free Hospital in London in May.

The OCT imaging helps physicians better view blockages, and assists with stent selection and placement, while AI can guide doctors during the procedure and improve accuracy.

"Abbott's new Ultreon Software for OCT provides an automated, comprehensive view of the artery that facilitates physician decision-making," Ziad Ali, director of the DeMatteis Cardiovascular Institute at St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center in New York, said in a statement..." Lire la suite