Vortex Imaging has raised a $12 million financing round to speed clinical development, approval and commercial launch of its cloud-enabled computational ultrasound platform. This was a vital round for the company, as it moves toward changing how costly advanced 3D diagnostics are used by shifting the paradigm from centralised hospital radiology suites to the bedside.
The funding round attracted a robust syndicate of both new and returning institutional investors. Participants included 10D Ventures, Entrée Capital, Harel T.E.C. Partnership, Connecticut Innovations, and PhiFund Ventures.
Related: Neurosoft Bioelectronics closes $7.5M seed funding round to support BCI
Alongside the funding, Vortex Imaging announced a major upgrade to its governance. Ori Hadomi, the former CEO of Mazor Robotics and current vice president of strategic initiatives & partnerships at Medtronic, has been appointed chairman of the board. Hadomi is expected to guide the company through the rigorous path of FDA clearance and global scaling. Joining him on the expanded board are seasoned medical tech executives, including Chris Cleary, a former M&A executive at both Medtronic and GE Healthcare.
Currently, high-resolution 3D volumetric images are almost exclusively the domain of Computerised Tomography (CT) scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). These are very precise systems in terms of position accuracy and information content, but require huge permanent infrastructure, cost millions of dollars, and, in the case of the CTs, irradiate the patients.
On the other hand, the standard 2D point-of-care ultrasound is safe and portable yet very operator-dependent. A traditional ultrasound depends on the operator’s steady hand and ability, resulting in variable datasets and a steep learning curve.
Vortex Imaging effectively solves these past obstacles by providing a small, cloud-connected ultrasound hardware system that eliminates the operator’s scope. Instead of providing a typical slice-by-slice video feed, the system provides a raw set of acoustic sound data.
At the core of Vortex’s breakthrough is a proprietary algorithm adapted from an unlikely source: geophysics. The company adapted Full-Waveform Inversion (FWI), a seismic model for mapping oil reservoirs, and applied it to human tissue analysis. Processing acoustic wave echoes via GPU-on-cloud, the system applies an inverse model to construct high-resolution 3D volumetric datasets.
The result mirrors CT or MRI scan clarity, packaged in a safe, radiation-free, affordable handheld ultrasound probe. The cloud-native software delivers standardised, reproducible imaging regardless of the operator’s manual scanning experience.
CEO Tomer Ben David said, “Vortex aims to transform ultrasound into a standardised, volumetric imaging system delivering advanced 3D clinical insights at the point of care.” “We are excited to have experienced investors and board members supporting our advancement toward FDA clearance and initial clinical deployment.
The $12 million influx of capital is intended for key milestones on Vortex’s horizon. Most important is completing clinical trials to secure formal FDA clearance in the United States. To manage this dual-market approach, the company is utilising its strategic footprint across both its engineering hub in Givatayim, Israel, and its commercial offices in Sunnyvale, California.
Vortex’s initial go-to-market strategy will strictly target urology and nephrology departments. Accurate 3D spatial mapping of organs like the kidneys and bladder is vital for diagnosing chronic conditions and performing precise needle biopsies. Vortex plans to expand its FWI software to support emergency medicine, general diagnostics, and guided surgical procedures worldwide.
