Italian diagnostic imaging solutions provider Bracco Imaging, a member of the Bracco Group, has partnered with US-based ultrasound devices maker BURL Concepts to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients.
BURL Concepts produces portable, battery-powered ultrasound devices for use in non-invasive and transcranial stroke diagnosis.
Under the agreement, Bracco Imaging will produce a specialised microbubble solution to be used with BURL Concepts’ SONAS device.
SONAS is a portable ultrasound system, designed for non-invasive blood perfusion assessment in the brain.
It helps in various medical diagnostic and monitoring applications, including ischemic stroke evaluation.
Bracco Imaging Research Center Geneva director Thierry Bettinger said: “This strategic partnership underscores our commitment to advancing diagnostic imaging technology.
“By combining our expertise in microbubble solutions with BURL Concepts’ groundbreaking SONAS device, we aim to improve the accessibility, efficiency, and safety of stroke assessments, ultimately enhancing patient care.”
SONAS provides a cost-effective, and non-invasive solution suitable for diverse treatment settings. This enhances time-critical patient care and improves outcomes.
According to BURL Concepts, the device is suitable for early pre-intervention diagnostics in hospitals and post-intervention monitoring at the bedside.
SONAS is CE Mark certified and has been tested on over 350 patients across various clinical scenarios, including early stroke detection, post-mechanical thrombectomy treatment monitoring, transient ischemic attack, and others.
In the US, BURL Concepts has submitted the SONAS Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) Application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The device is currently under review by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). The ultrasound devices maker anticipates launching its FDA trials in early 2025.
BURL Concepts CEO and chief medical officer Thilo Hoelscher said: “This collaboration allows us to leverage Bracco’s microbubble technology exclusively as part of the SONAS system, which will enhance our ability to provide accurate and timely assessment of cerebral perfusion.
“We believe this partnership can significantly improve patient outcomes and set a new standard in brain monitoring and specifically in stroke care.”
In late 2023, Bracco signed a long-term partnership with ulrich to introduce its advanced syringeless magnetic resonance (MR) injectors to the US.
