Medtronic partners with Brainomix to advance AI stroke diagnosis

IRELAND – Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology, has partnered with Brainomix to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in stroke diagnosis and treatment.

This collaboration aims to expand the adoption of Brainomix 360 Stroke, an AI-powered platform that helps doctors quickly assess stroke patients using CT brain scan analysis.

Medtronic will use its strong presence in Western Europe to introduce the technology to more hospitals and healthcare providers.

How the AI tool works

The Brainomix 360 Stroke platform, formerly known as e-Stroke, is designed to speed up stroke diagnosis and treatment decisions. It uses AI algorithms to:

• Detect acute ischemic strokes
• Locate large vessel blockages
• Assess the condition of brain tissue

By providing real-time analysis of CT scans, the tool helps doctors quickly determine the best course of action, whether it be medication or a mechanical thrombectomy to remove a clot.

Faster decision-making can significantly improve patient outcomes by reducing the time to treatment, which is crucial in stroke cases.

Proven benefits of Brainomix 360 Stroke

Clinical studies have shown that the AI platform improves stroke treatment outcomes. In 2023, the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended Brainomix 360 Stroke as one of the few AI tools suitable for clinical decision-making in stroke care.

A report by NICE stated that the software license for a comprehensive stroke center costs approximately £30,000 per year.

Further research involving 70,600 stroke patients in the UK found that hospitals using the AI tool saw an increase in referrals for mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure that removes blood clots from the brain.

Additionally, two-thirds of clinicians reported that the AI platform helped identify more patients who could benefit from thrombectomy.

Medtronic’s role in stroke treatment

Medtronic is already a major player in stroke treatment, selling devices like the Solitaire X revascularization device, which is used in mechanical thrombectomy procedures.

Stroke care is a key growth area for Medtronic’s neurovascular business, especially outside China. The company sees continued acceptance of the Solitaire X device as essential to its future success in neuroscience.

By partnering with Brainomix, Medtronic aims to further strengthen its stroke care solutions. The AI-powered platform complements Medtronic’s existing stroke treatment devices, creating a more efficient and effective system for diagnosing and treating stroke patients.

Medtronic’s growing investment in AI

This agreement is part of Medtronic’s broader strategy to integrate AI into healthcare.

In November 2023, the company partnered with Tempus, an AI-driven precision medicine company, to explore the use of AI in identifying patients eligible for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a heart valve procedure.

Medtronic competes with Edwards Lifesciences in the TAVR market and is using AI to improve patient selection and treatment planning.