BARDA partners with RIVANNA for portable Accuro XV device to provide radiation-free fracture detection

A new partnership between the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and RIVANNA seeks to develop the company’s Accuro XV device for the release of a portable 3D fracture detection and diagnosis system without radiation.

The rapid-working system is based on ultrasound imaging, meant to improve bedside fracture triage. Still in the advanced research and development stage, the computer-aided Accuro XV nevertheless aims to reduce congestion for routine care, as well as mass casualty blast trauma incidents.

Chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) incidents, particularly blast-related, tend to require swift action both in the field and emergency rooms alike as large numbers of patients are created. By rapidly triaging fracture severity, the need for limited X-ray resources, specially trained personnel to operate those X-ray resources, and space could all be potentially reduced. The end goal is to potentially allow emergency departments to speed care for swathes of patients with low severity, simple fractures and sprains, thereby prioritizing services for those in greatest need.

According to BARDA, fractures and extremity injuries account for more than half of all injuries in mass casualty incidents. Therefore, field-deployable equipment could be a major asset, particularly given that the Accuro XV is pushing for sensitivity and specificity comparable to X-rays.

BARDA will support RIVANNA’s initial prototype development, a usability study, and help the company to better understand the market adoption landscape. It may provide additional investments in the future to help it navigate training and validation studies to achieve U.S. Food and Drug Administration 501(k) clearance.