AI-Powered Stroke Rescue Saves New Yorker

In a bustling New York City, on the evening of October 26, Jess Allison’s life took an unexpected turn. The 41-year-old suddenly found herself immobilized, unable to speak or move her right side. Thanks to a good Samaritan and swift medical attention at Mount Sinai West, she underwent a critical procedure that would leverage the power of artificial intelligence to save her life.

Allison, a dedicated fundraiser for the Melanoma Research Foundation in Washington, D.C., had suffered a large vessel occlusion—a type of stroke where a major cerebral artery is blocked. Unbeknownst to her, the rapid response that facilitated her near-full recovery was partly due to innovative AI-based software developed by a pioneering startup.

In the realm of healthcare, time is a commodity that can mean the difference between full recovery and lifelong disability. With strokes affecting nearly 800,000 Americans annually, the urgency for efficient diagnosis and treatment cannot be overstated. Each minute lost can result in the demise of approximately 2 million brain cells. This is where the San Francisco-based startup Viz.ai steps in, wielding its arsenal of 12 FDA-approved algorithms.

Viz.ai’s technology is designed to expedite the diagnostic process. By comparing patient CT scans with a vast database, the AI tools assist clinicians in shaving off precious minutes from diagnosis to surgery preparation. This rapid response is critical in prioritizing patients who require immediate care for strokes and other medical emergencies.

The company’s founder and CEO, Chris Mansi, a neurosurgeon by training, has emphasized the growing capability of AI in not only detecting but anticipating disease progression. Viz.ai’s success is evident in its partnerships with over 1,500 U.S. hospitals and its ambitious plans to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies to streamline drug development—a move made increasingly vital by recent changes in drug pricing legislation.

Financially, Viz.ai is on an upward trajectory. With an impressive valuation of $1.2 billion, it has attracted substantial investment totaling $254 million from notable firms. The startup’s annual recurring revenue (ARR) has seen remarkable growth, with projections indicating it could reach $100 million by 2024, up from $12 million in 2020. While profitability has not yet been achieved, the company’s revenue for accounting purposes is expected to be around $40 million this year, with forecasts of $60 million to $70 million the following year.

Viz.ai’s reach extends to institutions like the Cleveland Clinic and Mount Sinai, covering roughly two-thirds of the U.S. populace. It stands out as a rare AI company that has garnered both FDA approval for its algorithms and Medicare reimbursement authorization.

The company is also venturing into generative AI, an area that includes summarizing patient medical records and reviewing academic literature to uncover potentially overlooked information—a task that does not require FDA approval. However, should Viz.ai aspire to use text-based AI for clinical recommendations, regulatory approval would be necessary.

Beyond image-based AI, Viz.ai’s aspirations include the detection of up to 100 diseases across various medical fields such as neurology, cardiology, and oncology. The potential for early lung cancer detection is particularly promising, as current methods often miss signs in early X-rays.

Mansi’s vision for Viz.ai is rooted in his own experiences and education—from his upbringing in Newcastle, England, to his medical training at the University of Cambridge, and his passion for neurology and neurosurgery. His journey through prestigious London hospitals to an MBA at Stanford University shaped his approach to blending technology with medicine.

His encounter with David Golan, a machine-learning postdoc at Stanford who had recently experienced a stroke scare, led to the inception of Viz.ai. Their shared commitment to improving medical decision-making through data was catalyzed by seed funding from Innovation Endeavors following a pitch in a class led by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

As Viz.ai continues to expand its horizons and impact on healthcare innovation, it represents a beacon of hope for patients like Jess Allison and countless others who stand to benefit from AI-driven medical advancements. The intersection of artificial intelligence generated images and AI video generator technology with healthcare promises a future where rapid diagnosis and treatment are not just possible but the norm.

For readers keen on staying abreast with the latest ai news & ai tools, Viz.ai’s journey underscores the transformative power of AI in revolutionizing patient care and shaping a new era in healthcare delivery.