eko Archives - Medical Design Sourcing

Eko reports improved heart disease detection with its AI tech

The Eko Sensora system on a tablet featuring the featuring 3M Littmann Core digital stethoscope. [Image courtesy of Eko]Eko Health today announced new clinical data demonstrating the real-world clinical efficacy of its AI-enabled Sensora platform.

Data presented at the 2023 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions highlighted Sensora’s ability to quickly and accurately detect structural murmurs associated with valvular heart disease.

The study evaluated the performance of an Eko digital stethoscope paired with the company’s AI-based structural murmur detection algorithm. It pitted the Eko technology against the standard auscultation with an analog stethoscope in the primary care setting. The study evaluated 369 patients and continues enrolling with plans to collect up to 12 months of follow-up data.

Eko said in a news release that the study showed better than two times improvement with AI in detecting VHD associated with murmur sensitivity…

Eko begins large-scale rollout of AI-based heart disease detection tech in the UK

The Eko Sensora system on a tablet featuring the featuring 3M Littmann Core digital stethoscope. [Image courtesy of Eko]Eko Health today announced regulatory approval for and the deployment of its AI-enabled technology in the United Kingdom.

Emeryville, California–based Eko received UKCA marking approval for the technology it markets in the U.S. as Sensora. The company launched Sensora, which uses AI to identify signs of valvular heart disease, in the U.S. in February.

Sensora combines machine learning with a stethoscope. It captures and analyzes heart sounds and electrical signals through this digital technology. The company designed this detection platform to expand as the company develops new applications.

TRICORDER, a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded implementation program led by researchers at Imperial College London, will deploy the technology across primary care practices across the UK. Its implementation could aid in the…

Eko Health partners with FIGS to expand its digital stethoscope’s reach

The FIGS | Eko Core 500 digital stethoscope [Image courtesy of FIGS and Eko Health]Healthcare apparel company FIGS and digital health tech outfit Eko Health today announced the U.S. launch of the FIGS | Eko Core 500 digital stethoscope.

As with the initial edition of the Core 500 launched in June after FDA clearance a month before, the product combines Eko’s TrueSound sound filtering and noise reduction technology with a full-color screen that displays heart rate and ECG tracing.

When combined with Eko’s Sensora platform which uses artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac disease detection, the device can flag specific cardiac abnormalities like atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and tachycardia, according to Eko Health and FIGS.

The companies noted that the FDA cleared all editions of the Core 500 for healthcare professional use only, and the AI-assisted features are currently limited to users in the United States.

Trina Spear, CEO and co-founde…

Eko launches digital stethoscope with heart disease detection AI

The CORE 500 digital stethoscope. [Image courtesy of Eko Health]Eko Health announced today that it launched its next-generation digital stethoscope, the CORE 500.

Emeryville, California-based Eko engineered the system to enhance diagnostic accuracy and early disease detection. It combines artificial intelligence (AI) software, high-fidelity audio, full-color display and 3-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The system delivers what Eko calls an essential patient assessment tool for healthcare professionals.

CORE 500 received FDA clearance last month. It offers compatibility with Eko’s Sensora platform which uses artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac disease detection.

“A few years ago, we set out to reimagine the most ubiquitous medical tool. We’ve spent countless hours designing, testing, and refining to produce a flagship product that we’re very proud of and has high clinical value – the CORE 500 is the result,” said Connor Landg…

Eko launches Sensora AI-powered cardiac disease detection platform

The Eko Sensora system on a tablet featuring the featuring 3M Littmann Core digital stethoscope. [Image courtesy of Eko]Eko announced today that it launched its Sensora platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac disease detection.

Oakland, California-based Eko designed Sensora with AI that objectively identifies structural murmurs — signs of valvular heart disease. The system features Care Pathway Analytics software that provides downstream visibility and metrics of the patient journey, too.

Sensora combines machine learning with a stethoscope. It captures and analyzes heart sounds and electrical signals through this digital technology. Eko said in a news release that it designed this detection platform to expand as the company develops new applications.

“Our vision for Sensora is to make cardiovascular disease detection simple and accurate in frontline care settings like primary care and urgent care,” said Connor Landgraf, co-fo…

NIH grants Eko $2.7M to develop pulmonary hypertension AI tech

[Image from Eko]Eko announced today that it received a $2.7 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Direct Phase II grant.

The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded the grant. The grant will fund the development of a machine learning algorithm, according to a news release.

Eko said the algorithm detects and stratifies pulmonary hypertension (PH). It uses phonocardiogram (PCG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) data from Eko’s smart stethoscopes. To address challenges of ECG-based AI models for detecting PH, Eko partnered with Lifespan Health System’s Cardiovascular Institute.

The partnership collects real-world PCG and ECG data using the Eko Duo ECG + digital stethoscope. Eko plans to use the data to develop an algorithm that can detect PH and stratify its severity. Early identification can diagnose PH earlier and more accurately, leading to potentially life-saving interventions.

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Caregility, Eko partner to bring smart stethoscope to telehealth platform

[Image from Eko and Caregility]Caregility and Eko announced today that they entered into a partnership to integrate cloud technology and smart stethoscopes.

The partnership enables seamless integration between Caregility’s cloud platform and Eko’s smart stethoscopes and software. The idea is to allow health providers on Caregility’s iConsult application to perform auscultation (heart, lung, and other body sounds) on patients during a virtual physical exam.

“Our partnership addresses a key component missing from most virtual exams – auscultation. The ability for care teams to easily and accurately assess a patient’s body sounds in real-time will have a meaningful impact on our hybrid care delivery models, including telenursing, telerounding, tele-ICU, and at-home care,” Peter McLain, chief strategy officer and SVP of business development at Caregility, said in a news release. “Eko’s unparalleled digital stethoscope so…

FDA clears Eko’s AI for detecting heart disease

[Image from Eko]Eko announced today that it received FDA clearance for its Eko Murmur Analysis Software (EMAS) for adult and pediatric patients.

The next generation of Eko’s murmur detection capabilities, EMAS represents the first and only smart stethoscope on the market that can identify and differentiate between innocent and structural heart murmurs indicative of valvular heart disease.

According to a news release, Eko has transformed the traditional stethoscope into an objective, low-cost and scalable screening tool that can identify significant structural heart disease within seconds on the front lines of care. The company has collaborated in with 3M to connect its software and artificial intelligence algorithms and help clinicians use 3M’s stethoscope to better interpret sounds and detect heart murmurs, too.

“This latest FDA clearance is another way in which Eko is improving access to better heart health through clinically-validated algorit…

Eko launches screening app for early heart disease detection

Eko announced today that it launched its newly redesigned Eko application that aids in screening for cardiovascular disease.

Oakland, California-based Eko develops smart stethoscopes to pair with its accompanying automated disease detection software with the Eko app for analyzing heart sounds with FDA-cleared artificial intelligence (AI)-powered algorithms.

According to a news release, Eko aims to utilize the newly redesigned app to transform patient interactions into an opportunity to screen for cardiovascular disease, with the AI algorithms capable of detecting heart murmurs and AFib within seconds.

The AI algorithm was clinically validated to perform at a sensitivity of 87.6% and specificity of 87.8% in identifying heart murmurs, with Eko’s AFib algorithm producing a sensitivity of 98.9% and specificity of 96.9%.

Dr. Joanna Kmiecik, a family medicine specialist in Chicago, said in the release that Eko’s products offer ease of use an…

Eko lands $2.7m federal grant for heart disease detection study

Eko announced today that it received a $2.7 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Oakland, Calif.-based Eko said in a news release that the grant will be used to fund its collaborative work with Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute as they validate algorithms to help screen for pathologic heart murmurs and valvular heart disease during routine office visits.

Eko and Northwestern announced their collaboration in March 2019 in an effort to find a low-cost option for identifying patients with heart disease without screening tools like echocardiograms.

This year alone, Eko received FDA approval in January for its suite of algorithms that combine with the company’s digital stethoscopes to screen for heart conditions, then in March it won FDA emergency use authorization for its novel ECG-based algorithm that screens for low ejection fraction in COVID-19 patients.

“This SBIR …

Eko names Humbarger as new SVP

Eko announced yesterday that it appointed Bryan Humbarger as its new senior vice president of commercial with an emphasis on sales.

The digital health sales veteran’s new role includes responsibilities for overseeing sales and commercial operations for Eko’s AI and telemedicine software platforms for health systems, practices and providers worldwide, according to a news release.

“Eko’s next generation of cardiac and pulmonary solutions are already making a difference for providers and their patients, and I am thrilled to bring my experience in cardiology and digital health to further accelerate the adoption of Eko’s technology,” Humbarger said in the release. “Being at the forefront of delivering what’s next in cardiovascular care is my passion, and I am thrilled to continue this journey at Eko, a company making a difference in how cardiac and pulmonary care is delivered.”

Oakland, Calif.-based Eko welcomes Humbarger on the back of FDA cleara…