RapidAI raises $25M; Sectra signs top health systems; conference shelved, plus more radiology vendor news
San Mateo, California-based vendor RapidAI has scored $25 million in new funding, the company announced on Thursday.
The cash infusion comes by way of Lennertz & Co., with the artificial intelligence firm investing dollars back into its RapidAI platform. It currently offers an “end-to-end” portfolio of stroke imaging products, according to an announcement.
“RapidAI’s vision to massively improve stroke and other cerebrovascular care through AI, and other medical imaging innovations, has known no borders and brought measurable improvement to patient care worldwide. We are excited to help them continue and expand on their mission,” Philipp Lennertz, managing director of Lennertz & Co., said in a statement.
Sectra signs contracts for two new enterprise imaging systems
Sweden-based technology firm Sectra has signed enterprise imaging contracts with two “top rated” hospital systems, the company said Thursday.
It did not specify the names of the two new customers, but said they are located in California and New Jersey. Both deals—signed in August—include a new radiology module and Sectra’s vendor-neutral archive for storing departmental images, according to the announcement.
ARRS in-person imaging conference canceled due to COVID
The American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) said Thursday that it is the first imaging society to announce an all-virtual assembly for 2021.
ARRS originally planned to host its show in San Diego next year. However, the society is moving the event to the web due to California’s social-distancing guidelines for large events.
“Although ARRS is disappointed by this reality, thanks to the dedication and flexibility of its faculty and presenters, the oldest radiological society in North America remains excited to provide an exceptional all-virtual meeting for its membership,” it said in a statement.
The virtual show is slated to take place from April 18 to 22.
Rapid fire radiology vendor news:
Here are a few more radiology vendor-related news items of note, in rapid fashion:
- The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance is warning the FDA about reports of inappropriate cleaning agents used on radiology devices.
- Fujifilm Sonosite and the CHEST Foundation are partnering to investigate point-of-care ultrasound’s role in assessing COVID-19.
- GE Healthcare recently announced that its Clariscan product is now the only FDA-approved MRI contrast agent available in a polymer bottle.
- And finally, Infinx Healthcare and openDoctor recently announced a partnership tied to prior authorization and virtual scheduling in imaging.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.