Imec.xpand and KU Leuven led the investment together and were joined by University Hospitals Leuven.
As a spin-off of imec and KU Leuven, Pulsify Medical will build on the IP-protected technology of both research institutes: on the one hand, imec’s unique flexible ultrasound transducer technology and design know-how for transducers, thin film transistors and system
architecture, and on the other hand, KU Leuven’s expertise in cardiac ultrasound imaging.
Pulsify Medical was founded as Carpatchiot B.V. in June 2019 by Professor Jan D’hooge (KU Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven), Dr. Lieven Herbots (Jesse Hospital, University Hospitals Leuven), Xavier Rottenberg (imec) and Steve Stoffels (imec). Iwan Van Vijfeijken and Chris Japp are joining as CEO and independent Chairman of the Board, respectively.
Commenting Iwan van Vijfeijken, CEO of Pulsify Medical, said: “We envision a breakthrough in ultrasound-based medical imaging. Accurate and non-invasive cardiac monitoring will change current practice at intensive care units.
"In Europe, approximately 70 million people suffer from cardiovascular diseases of which each year 15% are hospitalised.
"Our technology will follow patients’ basic health parameters all over the hospital and at home, without requiring the intervention of specially trained individuals to obtain and interpret results. Changes in the functioning of the heart will be signalled, allowing doctors to intervene.”
Xavier Rottenberg, Scientific Director at imec stated: “Ultrasound imaging is a safe technique to produce images with exquisite details revealing critical information on a patient’s health. However, it isn’t yet widely available as a monitoring tool in intensive care units, let alone in ambulatory settings. Pulsify Medical is looking to change this. We will improve life quality, by preventing adverse events and allowing shorter hospital stays, and we will even save lives.”
