Sonus Microsystems unveils latest ultrasound tech
Sonus Microsystems has unveiled its latest ultrasound technology, delivering remote diagnostic imaging, without the need to go to a clinic or hospital. The company has raised more than $3 million to date. LDV Capital led the most recent financing in their $2.1 million pre-seed round with participation from notable angel investors and early-stage funds.
The company is developing and commercialising an ultrasound technology that utilises polymer MEMS sensors to send and receive ultrasonic waves. Their transducers are empowered by the innovative polyCMUT technology (stands for polymer-based Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasound Transducers). This method of manufacturing ultrasonic transducer arrays involves crafting thousands of vibrating micro-drums on different types of substrate. The polyCMUT offersenhanced imaging capabilities and a new standard for diagnostic and material testing.
Dr. Hani Eskandari, CEO and president at Sonus Microsystems, said: “We are uniquely positioned with over 100 years of ultrasound domain expertise to deliver our cutting-edge customisable ultrasound transducers which enable automated imaging for remote monitoring and wearable ultrasound applications powered by AI diagnosis.”
The company specialises in manufacturing ultrasound transducers tailored for three distinct use cases: disposable and miniature transducers ideal for applications demanding high-quality imaging in limited spaces; flexible and cost-efficient wearable transducers that unlock various healthcare monitoring and screening applications; and large matrix array transducers, offering operator-independent ultrasound imaging for remote monitoring and screening across diverse use cases. Sonus’s novel matrix technology is paving the way for accessible AI-powered patches that automate ultrasound scanning and measurement and unlock affordable monitoring and screening of patients.
Dr. Carlos D. Gerardo, co-founder and director of R&D, said: "Our transducers have demonstrated superb performance for medical diagnostic applications requiring a high degree of design flexibility. We are empowering industry leaders and visionary ventures to expedite their NPI timelines, enhance metrics, and explore new markets. By utilising polymers, we can manufacture polyCMUTs with fewer fabrication steps and minimal equipment, leading to substantial cost savings, swift iteration cycles, and unique capabilities.”
Sonus Microsystems has recently secured several partnerships to develop the tools needed to turn remote diagnostic imaging and monitoring into a reality.
The team, led by four Ph.D.s with experience in ultrasound, nanotechnology, and semiconductors – Hani Eskandari, Carlos D. Gerardo, Robert Rohling, and Edmond Cretu –raised a $2.1 million pre-seed round led by LDV Capital. Other investors including several notable angel investors, early-stage funds and ultrasound and AI domain experts have joined the round. The new funding will be used to enhance processes related to R&D and production, identify new application areas and partnerships, and build a robust engineering team, encompassing fabrication, electronics, and software engineering.
Evan Nisselson, general partner at LDV Capital, said: “Sonus Microsystems’ advanced imaging and sensing platform is poised to redefine the ultrasound landscape and unlock new remote monitoring applications in healthcare. We thrive on investing in people building cutting edge proactive healthcare solutions to hopefully improve people’s lives and deliver significant value.”