What is the problem NOVA addresses?
Physicians are looking to imaging modalities such as MRI and ultra-fast CT for more accurate diagnosis of medical conditions without invasive testing. Faster image acquisition is only part of the solution - post-acquisition analysis is needed to generate quantitative data on how organ systems are functioning.
How does NOVA addresses this situation?
NOVA takes the subjective data from a grayscale, MRI image of the blood vessels and generate a color, 3D vascular map with quantitative data on blood flow. NOVA's computational algorithms use MRI data as the basis to measure volumetric blood flow in vessels of specific regions in the body.
What is particularly noteworthy about NOVA?
NOVA is the first technology to quantify blood flow using a standard, safe, MRI scan. Other methods for assessing blood vessels provide only qualitative data or an image of the vascular anatomy. NOVA provides quantitative data in ml/min(milliliters per minute) that reveals how the blood vessels are actually working.
| Anatomy/ Pathology | Flow Velocity | Flow Volumn | Non-invasive | Non-radiative | Total Cranial Flow | 4D Visuali- zation | |
| NOVA | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Doppler | Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
| Intraoperative Flow Probe | N |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
| CTA | Y |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
| MRA | Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
| X-ray Angiography | Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Does NOVA have FDA approval ?
Yes, in 2002 VasSol,Inc. received clearance from the FDA to market NOVA for blood flow measurement in vessels throughout the body. This means that the new NOVA applications - renal, hepatic, lower extremity and coronary - will not require additional FDA submissions.
What are the applications for NOVA ?
NOVA is applicable to any vessel in the body that can be visualized with magnetic resonance imaging. Our first product, NOVA Neuro is aimed at the patient population at risk of stroke, the 3rd leading cause of death and the number one cause of long-term disability. Additional application for NOVA include renal artery stenosis, which is the primary cause of secondary hypertension, affecting an estimated 2.5 million Americans. Another example would be lower extremity blood flow for the diagnosis and management of critical limb ischemia, a condition, which resulted in over 150,000 amputation being performed in the U.S. alone in 2004.
How are clients billed ?
Clients are charged on a fee-per-use basis, eliminating capital budgeting issues in the decision making process.