Summary:Bracco Imaging and BURL Concepts are collaborating to produce a microbubble solution for the SONAS portable ultrasound device, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional imaging techniques like CT and MR.
Key Takeaways
- Bracco Imaging and BURL Concepts have partnered to enhance stroke diagnosis and treatment with a microbubble solution for the portable SONAS ultrasound device.
- The SONAS device offers a portable, non-invasive alternative to traditional imaging methods like CT and MRI, which are expensive, less accessible in emergencies, time-consuming, and pose risks with contrast agents.
- The SONAS device is CE mark-certified, in clinical use in Germany, tested on over 350 patients, and awaiting FDA trials in the U.S. expected to begin in early 2025.
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Bracco Imaging S.p.A. and BURL Concepts, Inc. have announced a strategic partnership to improve stroke diagnosis and treatment. Bracco will manufacture a microbubble solution for BURL Concepts’ SONAS device, a portable, battery-powered ultrasound system for non-invasive brain perfusion assessment.
Non-Invasive Stroke Diagnosis
Traditional imaging techniques like CT and MRI have long been used for ischemic stroke assessment. However, these methods come with several drawbacks: they are expensive, not always immediately accessible in emergency situations, time-consuming, and can pose risks to patients when used with contrast agents. The SONAS device addresses these limitations by providing a portable and non-invasive alternative, which can be utilized in a variety of treatment settings, thus greatly improving time-critical patient care.
“This partnership highlights our commitment to advancing diagnostic imaging technology,” says Thierry Bettinger, Bracco Research Center Geneva Director. “By combining our expertise in microbubble solutions with the innovative SONAS device, we aim to make stroke assessments more accessible, efficient, and safe, ultimately enhancing patient care.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Bracco, as this collaboration will leverage their microbubble technology to enhance the capabilities of our SONAS system,” adds Thilo Hoelscher, MD, CEO and chief medical officer of BURL Concepts. “This partnership is poised to improve patient outcomes and set a new standard in stroke care.”
Early Stroke Detection
The SONAS device, which is CE mark-certified, is currently in clinical use in several internationally recognized academic centers in Germany. It has been tested on over 350 patients for a range of clinical indications, including early stroke detection and monitoring after mechanical thrombectomy. In the U.S., BURL Concepts has submitted the SONAS IDE Application to the U.S. FDA, with trials expected to begin in early 2025.
