AliveCor is a medical device company that develops ECG (electrocardiogram) hardware and AI-powered software. This company was founded in 2011 by Dr. David Albert, a cardiologist, entrepreneur, and former chief clinical scientist of cardiology at General Electric.
He and his team started working on ECGs devices back in 1990s. Their early work led to a 1998 patent for wireless transmission of ECGs in handheld devices.
In December 2010, Dr. Albert demonstrated a prototype of an iPhone ECG through a YouTube video. That video garnered media attention, and venture capitalists and industry partners approached Dr. Albert to fund the new company. This is how AliveCor received its first $3 million in financing in 2011.
The company’s initial focus was on developing a single-lead ECG device that could attach to either the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S as a phone case.
In 2012, AliveCor finalized the design of the AliveCor iPhone ECG, which gained FDA approval. The device was available for sale only to doctors and cost $200.
To secure FDA clearance, AliveCor conducted clinical trials comparing the single-lead ECG to a traditional 12-lead device. Another study assessed whether participants with no medical training could use the phone case to record ECGs on themselves and others. Interestingly, this latter study revealed two subjects with serious heart conditions.
In October 2013, AliveCor announced a new ECG device that would support Android devices.
Unlike the iPhone case, this new device was a flat rectangle slightly larger than a stick of chewing gum. It marked the birth of the first-generation Kardia Mobile, which was sold directly to patients.
The KardiaMobile single-lead device required placing one fingertip from each hand on its two electrodes for 30 seconds to collect a medical-grade ECG reading.
AliveCor’s proprietary technologies include AI-enabled, machine learning-powered ECG sensors. These sensors deliver medical-grade heart data to patients and healthcare professionals.
AliveCor’s digital tools help patients access, manage, and share their heart data. Patients can also connect with cardiologists to better understand and manage their heart health.
Their algorithms can detect arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation (AFib), and other heart conditions with high accuracy.
Their current flagship product, KardiaMobile 6L, is the world’s first personal 6 Lead ECG device that allows patients to take an ECG anytime, anywhere. They have also made another device of the size of a credit card i.e. Kardiamobile Card. It can be carried in a wallet and be used to record ECG anywhere with ease.
These devices connect to the mobile via Bluetooth so no internet is required for taking the ECG. However if you want it to be interpreted as well you have to use the Kardiacare App and if you also want to have consultations with cardiologists then you need the subscription of Kardiacare Plus app.
Over 2 million patients across more than 40 countries have used the devices of this company. The convenience and accessibility of them have helped bridge gaps in cardiac care, especially for remote monitoring.