The Ultreon 3.0 software uses optical coherence tomography and artificial intelligence to guide physicians during procedures to open blocked arteries.
Abbott has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and CE Mark for its next-generation Ultreon 3.0 Software, an artificial intelligence (AI) powered imaging platform. According to the company, the system integrates coronary imaging with AI-automated insights to support physicians performing procedures to open blocked heart arteries.
The software uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) to provide real-time guidance during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The technology allows physicians to view the detailed structure of a blockage with OCT images and uses AI to assess the type of plaque, which helps in selecting the optimal location and size for a stent to improve blood flow. The platform is designed with an integrated workflow to support faster and more precise procedures.
“Ultreon 3.0 represents a pivotal step forward in how we treat and ultimately care for our patients. This next-generation platform, combining imaging and AI, doesn’t just improve upon existing technology—it leapfrogs it,” says Evan Shlofmitz, DO, interventional cardiologist, director of interventional cardiology, St Francis Hospital and Health Center in Roslyn, NY, in a release. “By delivering greater clarity, speed, and clinical insight, Ultreon 3.0 accelerates the path to more confident clinician decision making and transformative patient care.”
According to Abbott, the software features a one-second OCT pullback, a high-speed imaging technique that captures detailed cross-sectional views of the coronary artery. The company states this offers higher resolution than intravascular ultrasound and can be performed with low or zero contrast, which may be beneficial for patients with kidney disease.
The platform’s capabilities include providing an understanding of the size, shape, and location of a coronary blockage to guide treatment planning, a post-procedure assessment to ensure the stent has improved blood flow, and a streamlined setup with AI-automated insights.
“Abbott’s Ultreon 3.0 offers a single, AI-driven platform that quickly and easily captures the images physicians need to fully understand the size and angle of the blockage, and create an actionable plan to help the patient,” says David M Leistner, interventional cardiologist, Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Charité Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF) in Berlin, Germany, in a release. “Every second and every decision matters when treating patients who have blockages in their coronary arteries, and Ultreon 3.0 enables faster, more informed clinical choices that can have a real impact on patients.”
Built on the previous version, Ultreon 2.0, the new platform introduces enhanced AI capabilities to provide a solution for complex coronary PCIs. More than 600,000 people in the US and more than 885,000 in Europe undergo PCI each year, according to the company.
“Complemented by our leading coronary portfolio, Ultreon 3.0 makes OCT imaging more intuitive and powerful for physicians, reimagining imaging into a tool for precision-guided intervention before and after procedures,” says Ethan Korngold, MD, chief medical officer at Abbott’s vascular business, in a release.
