What's Happening?
RIVANNA, a medical technology company, has been awarded a $2.21 million grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The grant is designated for the development of an ultrasound guidance system for pediatric lumbar punctures on the Accuro 3S platform. Lumbar punctures are crucial in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer. Traditional procedures can lead to traumatic lumbar punctures, affecting patient outcomes. RIVANNA aims to address these challenges by developing dedicated pediatric features for its AI-enabled Accuro 3S system, which combines hardware innovations with intelligent algorithms to guide clinicians in needle insertion.
Why It's Important?
The development of the Accuro 3S platform is significant as it promises to improve the safety and effectiveness of spinal interventions for pediatric oncology patients. By reducing traumatic lumbar punctures and eliminating radiation exposure associated with fluoroscopy, the system could enhance treatment outcomes and survival rates for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The platform's ability to adapt to various pediatric body sizes and simplify the learning curve for ultrasound guidance could lead to increased procedural proficiency and satisfaction among healthcare providers.
What's Next?
RIVANNA plans to conduct preclinical development involving AI features tailored for pediatric populations. Collaborative studies will focus on usability, accuracy, and learning curve to ensure the platform meets clinical needs. The company acknowledges contributions from clinical collaborators at various universities, including the University of Virginia and Oregon Health & Science University. The project is fully funded by the NIH grant, and RIVANNA aims to introduce the engineered system into clinical practice to improve pediatric care.
