Arineta is a medical technology company that develops and manufactures dedicated cardiovascular and thoracic CT scanners. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Arineta CEO Doug Ryan to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Doug Ryan’s Background
What is Doug Ryan’s background? Ryan said:
“I started my career in the medical device field in the 1990s, joining Toshiba Medical Systems in Australia in various roles. In 2001, I moved to the United States with Toshiba running the computed tomography (CT) business line in North America, where I launched both multi-slice CT and wide area detector CT. I was then responsible for the marketing and strategic development of all of Toshiba North America diagnostic imaging modalities in X-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance, and computed tomography. In 2015, I joined Siemens Healthineers as vice president of the CT business line, transforming it over almost a decade to be the market share leader in North America.”
“The opportunity to join Arineta allowed me to focus on providing access to address the leading causes of death worldwide, cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. This, combined with the outstanding clinical results we’ve achieved from modern AI algorithms looking at FFR/ischemia and plaque analysis is a highlight of my career and experience.”
History Of The Company
Tell me about Arineta’s history. Ryan shared:
“Arineta is an Israeli-based company focused on the development of dedicated cardiothoracic CT. Located in the prestigious Caesarea Industrial Park in Israel, the company benefits from a rich tradition of medical imaging innovation that traces back to the 1970s. Arineta’s remarkable team comprises a diverse group of highly skilled scientists, engineers, and accomplished business executives, all with an impressive track record in developing and commercializing state-of-the-art medical devices.”
“Arineta’s flagship product line, SpotLight, stands as a testament to ingenuity. As the world’s first dedicated single-heartbeat, whole heart cardiac CT scanner, SpotLight Duo incorporates our proprietary Stereo CT technology, revolutionizing cardiac imaging.”
“This groundbreaking product has garnered widespread acclaim and global reach. Arineta continues to drive innovation forward, building upon the legacy of its scientists, who are pioneers of the multi-slice spiral CT technology and have contributed significantly to various key advancements in the field.”
Core Products
What are Arineta’s core products and features? Ryan explained:
“Arineta’s SpotLight CT platform is the world’s first dedicated cardiac CT scanner, optimized for imaging the entire heart and cardiovascular system in one beat while minimizing radiation exposure. We introduced the SpotLight Duo in 2023 for both cardiothoracic and cardiovascular imaging to expand into thoracic imaging and addressing the global need for low dose lung cancer screening worldwide.”
“The SpotLight CT platform’s smaller footprint and lower operating costs make it ideal for private office and cardiovascular centers of excellence within IDN hospital networks compared to conventional CT scanners. Both of the SpotLight series CTs are also ideal for mobile CT applications, due to their design aspects, as well bringing high-performance CT imaging to rural and underserved communities. This technology allows patients critical access to point-of-care solutions and advanced cardiac and thoracic imaging without needing to travel long distances for care.”
Greatest Achievement
What has been your greatest achievement working for the company so far? Ryan cited:
“In 2023, Arineta launched as a stand alone company breaking away from a previous long term distribution agreement. The growth of the company, the brand, and most importantly, the clinical impact on the care pathway of patients worldwide in the last 18 months are the greatest sense of achievement for both myself and all the employees at Arineta.”
Challenges Faced
What are some key challenges in the medical imaging space you’ve faced recently? Ryan acknowledged:
“There are always many challenges, like clinical evidence, reimbursement, technology adoption, and understanding where the industry will be five years and 10 years from now, just to highlight a few. The key challenge we see today is the global access to high quality CT and a shortage of qualified technologists to operate them. Hence the development of the SpotLight with focus and accessibility, quality, cost, and the ongoing efforts to always address ease of use.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Ryan noted:
“The scanning technology is the backbone of our promise of excellence to our customers. Our wide-area detector allows us to scan the entire heart in a single rotation. Our patented system design and Stereo CT technology utilizes dual X-ray tubes to achieve a focused field of view with high resolution and minimal radiation dosage.”
“In 2023, Arineta received FDA 510K clearance for both our SpotLight Duo CT and AI-based deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) technology. Early this year, Arineta received FDA 510K clearance for low-dose lung cancer screening, and we are in the process of rolling out a major upgrade to our field system that enhances both workflow and serviceability.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Ryan highlighted:
“As more cardiology practices and health systems across the world continue to adopt our scanners, the most significant milestones should be assessed based on the impact on patients’ lives. As an example, our launch of the Clarity Mobile SpotLight initiative in LA expanded access to lifesaving diagnostic imaging. This mobile CT solution provides access to our advanced scanner capability directly to patients in areas where it was not previously easily accessible. In 2025 we are expecting NMPA approval in China with Arineta (Shandong) Medical Equipment Company, to support the growing need for ultra-premium cardiac and lung CT in the region.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Ryan about company success stories, he revealed:
“Every day, physicians share stories with us that highlight the impact of our technology. One particular story I felt showed the broad implications of our technology comes from a physician in Tampa, FL, whose care of one patient led to the referral of his four brothers, potentially saving each of their lives.”
“After undergoing bypass surgery in 2003, this patient closely monitored his heart with routine EKGs and stress tests. However, the stress tests caused him extreme duress as he worried his heart might not hold out for the diagnostic testing.”
“When his cardiologist retired, he saw Dr. Alberto Morales, who is one of our customers and uses the SpotLight in his practice. Dr. Morales’ non-invasive, advanced scanning technology gave this patient extreme peace of mind, knowing the imaging yielded more information about the state of his arteries without the danger of a stress test.”
“He was so satisfied with his care that he referred each of his four brothers to Dr. Morales for imaging. Shockingly, all four were diagnosed with blockages either requiring intervention with surgery or stenting. We are very proud our technology was able to intervene and save all five brothers from a potentially fatal cardiac event.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Ryan affirmed:
“Quality, accessibility, and cost are the pillars of our business. The wait time for cardiac CTA exams and the access to low dose lung cancer screening programs still remain a significant challenge for hospital systems worldwide.”
“Arineta’s 560-slice scanners capture the entire heart in a single heartbeat using Dual Source Stereo CT technology. The very high rotation speed and wide area detector acquisition allows isotemporal data acquisition for reduced artifacts and clearer images, even in patients with variable heart rates.”
“Our compact scanners are specifically designed to be located easily into smaller-scale cardiology practices or imaging centers, where square footage is valuable. Their small footprint and patented design concepts also reduces patient anxiety and creates a less intimidating experience.”
“We understand that cost is often an insurmountable barrier of adoption. Arineta takes pride in offering the highest quality scanners on the market at an affordable price, and our unique pay-per-use business model allows physicians or health systems to adopt this technology with no up-front cost.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Ryan concluded:
“To support access to care that has been proven to have a major impact on the welfare and health of patients globally.”
“The recent changes and guideline transition from functional imaging to a CT-first strategy across the global markets, combined with the impact of new AI algorithms that support this, are providing us the opportunity to provide extraordinary care to patients and allow medical providers to establish new care pathways.”
