A dual-diagnostic and treatment device for vitreoretinal diseases
ML-enabled Imaging, Classification and Treatment of Symptomatic Vitreous Opacities and other vitreoretinal conditions.
PROJECT METRICS
The Challenge
Vitreoretinal diseases, such as eye floaters, represent a significant global health burden due to their high prevalence, especially in aging populations, and their status as leading causes of vision impairment and blindness. These conditions are often chronic and progressive, resulting in irreversible damage to the retina and a profound impact on quality of life, independence, and mental health. The economic burden is substantial, encompassing both direct healthcare costs and indirect costs related to lost productivity and caregiving. Current treatment options are limited and frequently inadequate. Drug delivery to the back of the eye is particularly challenging, with most therapies requiring invasive intravitreal injections administered as often as every 4 to 8 weeks. This high treatment burden can lead to poor adherence and suboptimal outcomes. Additionally, there are no effective treatments for several major vitreoretinal conditions. Emerging therapies like gene therapy, stem cell transplantation, and retinal implants show promise but remain largely experimental or narrowly applicable. Early detection is also problematic, as many patients remain asymptomatic until substantial vision loss occurs, and access to diagnostic tools like optical coherence tomography (OCT) is inconsistent. Collectively, these factors underscore the urgent need for more effective, accessible, and less invasive treatments to prevent vision loss and reduce the overall burden of vitreoretinal disease.
The Solution – INOVAIT Project
Through support from INOVAIT’s Pilot Fund, PulseMedica is addressing the critical gaps in vitreoretinal disease management by developing a breakthrough diagnostic and treatment device. Their advanced device combines high-resolution 3D imaging with machine learning algorithms to accurately detect and classify vitreoretinal conditions, including eye floaters, at earlier stages. This non-invasive technology overcomes a major limitation in the field: the inability to easily visualize and precisely target pathology within the vitreous and retina. Using femtosecond laser technology, the PulseMedica device can not only diagnose but also treat conditions in real-time by precisely ablating floaters in the vitreous fluid—offering a less invasive, more accessible alternative to traditional surgical or injection-based therapies. Building on its successful Pilot Fund project, PulseMedica's Focus Fund project will develop multiple advanced prototypes capable of comprehensive 3D imaging, automated disease classification, and targeted laser treatment. The device will also be evaluated in first-in-human clinical trials for photocoagulation treatment of diabetic retinopathy, addressing another high-burden, under-treated retinal condition. With its ability to diagnose and treat a range of vitreoretinal diseases in a single platform, PulseMedica is positioned to significantly reduce treatment burden, improve patient outcomes, and offer scalable solutions to meet the growing global demand—starting with the market opportunity in treating vitreous floaters.
Funding Type: fonds Focus
Year of Funding: 2022
INOVAIT Funding Amount: $1,997,700.02
Total Project Funding Amount: $5,993,100.02
PulseMedica
Edmonton-based PulseMedica is developing a platform that is intended to be the first safe, effective, and non-invasive system to screen and treat vitreoretinal disease, starting with symptomatic vitreous opacities (eye floaters).Their long-term vision is to become the global standard for screening and treating vitreoretinal disease. PulseMedica has been awarded a Great Place To Work for three years in a row.
"INOVAIT has enabled us to do incredible life-changing work."
Eric Martin
COO
PulseMedica