Paris, France-based Avatar Medical designed its platform to help surgeons better prepare for procedures through VR representations of patients. Patient “avatars” generate instantly from CT scans or MRI for use with the VR platform. It features underlying technology developed by the company, which has a U.S. subsidiary in Mountain View, California.
The company designed its proprietary technology based on four years of research in human-data interaction and machine learning. Avatar Medical conducted this research at the Institut Pasteur and Institut Curie. The company said its platform serves as a valuable tool for pre-operative planning. It can also be displayed during surgical procedures.
Use of the platform in the U.S. to date spans more than 100 surgeons across 20 different hospitals and universities. The system’s uses include case studies, student education and patient engagement, Avatar Medical said.
Dr. Venkatesh Krishnasamy said the hardware-agnostic platform provides “an additional level of capability and confidence” in percutaneous and endovascular interventions. Krishnasamy serves as associate professor of radiology at Columbia University in New York.
“After receiving tremendous positive feedback from surgeons over the past 3 years, the FDA’s clearance is a major milestone in getting our VR solution in their hands to care for their patients,” said Xavier Wartelle, CEO of Avatar Medical. “We expect European medical device certification for next year.”
