iRhythm Technologies has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its ZEUS (Zio ECG Utilization Software) System for the Zio Watch.
Produced in partnership with Verily, an Alphabet precision health company, the ZEUS System combines deep learned algorithms with a proven and trusted cardiac arrhythmia service. The ZEUS System is the AI algorithm and solution component of the Zio Watch: a sensor-based wearable for non-invasive, clinical grade, long-term continuous monitoring for atrial fibrillation (AFib). Verily also received FDA 510(k) clearance for the Zio Watch (Study Watch with Irregular Pulse Monitor).
The Zio Watch with the ZEUS System is an integrated, prescription-based solution that addresses clinician workflows, care pathways and the patient experience. The cleared Zio Watch is a wrist-worn solution that not only detects AFib, but also characterises the amount of AFib over time, thus aiding a clinician in diagnosis. The Zio Watch uses a continuous photoplethysmography (PPG), AI-based algorithm to detect AFib and calculate an AFib burden estimate. A preliminary report is then sent to the patient's clinician for review, potentially leading to diagnosis and clinical intervention.
Quentin Blackford, CEO and president of iRhythm, said: “We are incredibly excited about this important milestone as we make progress in bringing a new monitoring platform to patients who can benefit from it. There is a clear need in the market today for a clinical grade, long-term and non-invasive monitoring solution. iRhythm is focused on redefining the standard of care with earlier insight to predict and prevent disease, and the Zio Watch with ZEUS System provides clinicians a platform that has the potential to meaningfully improve patients’ lives.”
Dr. Jessica Mega, chief medical and scientific officer and co-founder of Verily, added: “Our partnership with iRhythm advances our shared mission of delivering more efficient care for patients with AFib. The industry is ripe for a clinical grade wearable to not only improve how we monitor cardiovascular health, but also develop precision health interventions that could ultimately prevent more serious cardiac events before they can occur.”
Findings from the Verily Study: Watch AFib Detection At Home, revealed at HRS, show that interval-level sensitivity and specificity of the AFib Context Engine (ACE) algorithm within the ZEUS System were 93.6% and 99.1% respectively. Zio XT was used as a reference for computing performance. AFib episodes occurred in 30.4% of subjects, and median AFib burden was 9.3%. The Zio Watch PPG-derived AFib burden estimate was an accurate measure when compared to the Zio XT reference. iRhythm's ACE algorithm utilises a novel convolutional neural network architecture designed to operate on a cloud-enabled system compatible with a battery-constrained device. The results of ACE are presented in clinical preliminary reports summarising AFib presence over the monitoring period. This process enables clinicians to receive clinically meaningful data on AFib presence/absence, rather than just a single data point in time.
Mark Day, chief technology officer at iRhythm, said: “We’re proud to introduce a clinical grade wearable that has the potential to fill an important gap in patient care by enabling the early detection and long-term monitoring of atrial fibrillation. This technology is fundamental to growing a disruptive new monitoring platform for iRhythm.”
The Zio Watch will be complementary to Zio monitors by adding a modality with longer wear times for patients who require long-term monitoring to detect, characterise and manage AFib. The Zio Watch is designed to be a cost-effective, non-invasive monitoring solution and will fully integrate with the Zio service. iRhythm plans to introduce the ZEUS System for a limited market evaluation in 2023.
