For many emergency room patients, a major barrier to discharge is the need for a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), or “echo.” TTEs use ultrasound waves to generate detailed images of the heart, providing information for diagnosing and managing various heart conditions.

Although this non-invasive procedure is routine, it requires highly specialized technicians. Due to industry-wide staffing shortages, patients often face long delays.

 

The Growing Need for Faster Cardiac Diagnostics

Each year, more than 7 million TTEs are performed in the U.S. Globally, that number climbs to around 15 million, making the demand for outpatient echos far greater than the supply of qualified cardiac sonographers available to administer the test. In rural and underserved areas, the problem is compounded – patients often have to wait 12 weeks for an echo or travel several hours to access these life-saving diagnostics.

In the field of medical imaging, procedures like X-ray and MRIs are adaptable to remote machines that can perform procedures with the click of a button. But echos require skilled technicians who must actually touch the patient with an ultrasound transducer. The procedure is dependent on the skill of the sonographer – they must be able to apply enough pressure and find certain angles to get the detailed picture they need. Burnout, however, is very common for sonographers. Their job requires significant physical effort and often leads to ergonomic injuries due to stress on their shoulders and elbows. This growing need for faster and more efficient cardiac care is exactly what Apricity Robotics aims to address with its revolutionary telerobotics platform.

 

Introducing Apricity Robotics: Revolutionizing Cardiac Care

Apricity Robotics, founded by Aaron Crookes, is working to address this critical issue by developing a cost-effective telerobotics patient care platform that leverages collaborative robotics and artificial intelligence to enhance cardiac ultrasound imaging. The platform will enable cardiac sonographers to perform ultrasounds remotely, bringing high-quality diagnostic capabilities to patients globally, no matter their location.

This technology not only makes ultrasound exams faster and more efficient, but it streamlines patient care, significantly reduces wait times and brings world-class diagnostic capabilities to underserved communities.

Aaron points out that while there are other big manufacturers looking at robotic ultrasounds, Apricity is differentiating their technology by allowing for autonomous and semi-autonomous control of their robot. Autonomous image acquisition means that the robot can position itself to capture high-quality heart images with minimal human guidance, reducing the need for on-site technicians.

“We’re actually training our robot how to scan like an experienced sonographer,” he explains.

The implications of Apricity’s technology extend beyond just improving access. By enabling quicker diagnosis through remote TTEs, healthcare providers can identify and treat heart conditions earlier, potentially preventing heart attacks and other cardiac events.

Additionally, the platform can address the physical strain on sonographers, allowing them to continue their work without risking injury.

“One of the things we are starting to do is work with the highly skilled technicians that want to use their advanced degrees and medical training, but can’t anymore, due to the physical demands,” says Aaron. “We want to empower them – they are the brains behind this, and we’re equipping them with technology that alleviates the physical limitations and enables them to continue working in their field.”

 

Taking Apricity to the Next Level in the Trailblazer Healthtech Accelerator

This year, Aaron and his team took part in the Trailblazer Healthtech Accelerator Program, a 3-month intensive that helps startups navigate regulatory, clinical and commercialization strategies, enhancing their readiness for venture capital through expert guidance and a proven curriculum. The Accelerator covers key areas like quantifying clinical and economic potential, building commercialization roadmaps and navigating the regulatory pathway.

While the current focus is on cardiac care, Apricity’s technology has the potential to expand into other areas of medical imaging, such as vascular and prenatal ultrasounds. This versatility, combined with the ability to integrate AI-driven autonomous image acquisition, positions Apricity Robotics as a leader in the future of medical diagnostics.