Opticyte develops the VitalO₂ device, the first technology capable of measuring oxygen levels inside cells in real time. This proprietary monitoring system provides definitive, actionable data for early detection of conditions like sepsis, trauma, and respiratory failure. The device is engineered to improve clinical outcomes and address diagnostic inequities associated with current pulse oximetry technology.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Current methods for detecting shock and potential organ failure in patients with conditions like sepsis, hemorrhage, and cardiac dysfunction can be slow, delaying necessary interventions. Existing pulse oximeters can also be inaccurate on patients with darker skin tones, leading to misdiagnosis and potentially fatal outcomes.
Solution
Opticyte's VitalO₂ is a cellular oximeter that uses optical spectroscopy to provide real-time measurements of intracellular oxygen levels. The device non-invasively monitors both cellular oxygen and blood oxygen saturation, offering a comprehensive view of a patient's oxygen status. By measuring oxygen levels inside cells, the VitalO₂ can detect oxygen deficiencies in vital organs, enabling earlier intervention and personalized precision medicine. The technology addresses the limitations of traditional pulse oximetry, providing accurate measurements across all skin tones and helping to reduce organ failure and death associated with conditions like sepsis, COVID-19, hemorrhage, and cardiac failure. The device has received Breakthrough Device designation from the FDA for its potential to improve the standard of care.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes care providers in emergency departments, intensive care units, and operating rooms who need to quickly and accurately assess oxygen levels in patients at risk of shock and organ failure.
Features
- Non-invasive measurement of intracellular oxygen levels using optical spectroscopy
- Real-time monitoring of both cellular oxygen (Cell O₂) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂)
- Proprietary pattern-matching algorithm analyzes optical spectra for accurate oxygenation measurements
- Technology is accurate across all skin tones, addressing racial bias in traditional pulse oximetry
- Early detection of oxygen deficiency in vital organs, including brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver
- Provides diagnostic insight to differentiate between microcirculation/blood volume issues and heart/lung function problems
- Designed for use in emergency departments, intensive care units, and operating rooms