KURT YAEGER, M.D. MATERIALS, RADIOLOGY

The company EXO Imaging out of Redwood City, CA recently emerged from stealth mode to announce the development of a novel technology called PiezoelectricMicromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (pMUT) for ultrasound imaging. EXO Imaging is bringing together advances in micromachined materials and artificial intelligence to enhance both the ultrasound probe as well as the receiver that a clinician uses to visualize the ultrasound images.

Traditional ultrasound transducers are built from bulk piezoelectric materials, in a process that is inefficient and expensive. Advances in micro-machining has allowed the development of pMUT sensors and actuators to be formed on a substrate, rather than being machined. Therefore, pMUTs are smaller, less expensive to manufacture, and are able to generate higher quality images than transducers formed by traditional methods.

The company aims to provide enhanced portable ultrasound imaging quality, combined with greater affordability and accessibility for clinicians. They believe their technology can be applied not only to diagnostic ultrasound imaging, but also for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a therapeutic modality used to attack tumors and other lesions deep inside the body. They also plan to utilize their novel ultrasound transducer technology for enhanced 3D imaging, which may one day be performed as an advanced point-of-care test. The planned visual interface is a provider’s smartphone or mobile device, allowing it to be used ubiquitously, in a hospital, clinic, or in the field. 

EXO Imaging recently raised a $35 Million Series B financing round, led by Intel Capital. The company plans to utilize this fund raise to obtain FDA approval via the 510(k) pathway.