Vaso3D

Sonaro

Vaso3D

AI-powered software that transforms 2D ultrasound scans into real-time 3D vascular models for rapid, reliable, and accessible stroke risk assessments

Montreal, QC, Canada

CAN

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability world-wide, contributing to 6.5M preventable deaths annually and a global economic burden >$800B USD annually. With the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular-related comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes, stroke-related healthcare costs are projected to double in the coming decades. High-risk plaques in the carotid arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain, account for ~30% of strokes, making early and accurate diagnosis critical for effective prevention and treatment. Currently, 2D ultrasound is the standard tool for stroke risk assessment due to its safety, portability, and cost effectiveness. Unfortunately, a critical shortage of vascular sonographers is straining healthcare systems, delaying care, and limiting access to timely diagnosis. Additionally, 2D ultrasound has significant limitations, including high operator dependency with image quality varying by technician skill, lack of 3D plaque structure assessment, and subjective/manual image interpretation, leading to ~30% misclassification rates and a reliance on costly confirmatory exams like CT or MRI (>40% rescans). Standard exams can also take up to 60 minutes, further straining healthcare resources. As the global burden of cardiovascular disease rises, particularly in resource-limited regions like Africa, there is an urgent need for faster, more accurate, and accessible diagnostic solutions.

Vaso3D is an AI-powered imaging system that transforms standard 2D ultrasound scans into detailed 3D models of blood vessels, providing real-time, objective insights into vascular health without the need for specialized equipment (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ywdbc-xRuFVnc13301QMsOX_UK8rcJKk/view?usp=sharing). The system includes an off-the-shelf electromagnetic sensor and a proprietary cloud-based software, integrating seamlessly into existing clinical workflows. The sensor is securely mounted onto any standard ultrasound probe using a custom-designed clip. As the clinician performs a simple sweep over the patient's neck to scan the carotid artery, the sensor captures the probe’s position and orientation. This spatial data is synchronized with the 2D ultrasound images and uploaded to the Vaso3D web application. Once uploaded, Vaso3D uses a combination of AI and classical algorithms to reconstruct a 3D model of the artery, capturing the inner and outer vessel walls, and plaque. Clinicians can interact with the 3D visualization through an intuitive interface, with tools for annotation, measurement, and export. Key clinical measurements (vessel diameter, plaque thickness, percent stenosis, and carotid intima-media thickness) are automatically generated. From acquisition to report generation, the process takes under 10 minutes to perform, reducing exam time by .

Vaso3D serves individuals at risk for carotid artery disease, particularly those with hypertension, diabetes, or existing heart disease, conditions that significantly increase stroke risk. Carotid disease often progresses silently until it causes life-altering events like strokes, leading to severe disability or death. Through rapid, reliable, and accessible stroke risk assessments, Vaso3D enables timely interventions such as lifestyle changes, medication adjustments, or surgical referrals, dramatically reducing the risk of stroke and long-term complications. Managing advanced carotid disease or stroke-related outcomes can cost healthcare systems $20,000 to $40,000 per patient annually. Early detection with Vaso3D offers a cost-effective, preventive approach at a fraction of the cost, easing financial and operational strain. Vaso3D overcomes major limitations of traditional 2D ultrasound by reducing reliance on operator skill, standardizing diagnostic quality, and shortening scan times by up to 90%. This not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also significantly increases patient throughput. Designed for portability and bedside use, Vaso3D is particularly impactful in rural and underserved regions, where two-thirds of the global population currently lacks access to diagnostic imaging. Its low resource needs and reduced operator dependency allow advanced vascular assessments at the point of care, avoiding critical delays and promoting faster, life-saving interventions.