📊 Key Data
  • Integrated Solution: DuplexABI™ combines ABI testing and duplex ultrasound into a single device, streamlining vascular disease diagnosis.
  • Market Need: Rising rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease increase demand for efficient diagnostic tools.
  • Regulatory Readiness: CorVascular’s VasoGuard V-Series received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2024, with Terason having a long history of FDA-cleared devices.
🎯 Expert Consensus

Experts would likely conclude that while DuplexABI™ offers significant clinical and workflow advantages, its commercial success hinges on overcoming reimbursement challenges and proving cost-effectiveness to payers.

27 days ago
CorVascular & Terason Bet on Integrated Diagnostics to Remake Vascular Care

CorVascular & Terason Bet on Integrated Diagnostics to Remake Vascular Care

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – July 29, 2026 – In a move aimed at streamlining one of modern medicine’s critical diagnostic pathways, CorVascular today announced it will unveil its DuplexABI™ solution at the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU) 2026 Annual Conference. Developed in a strategic partnership with ultrasound pioneer Terason, the new system integrates two essential assessments for peripheral vascular disease into a single point-of-care device, a consolidation that promises to transform clinical workflow but faces a complex path to widespread commercial adoption.

The DuplexABI™ system combines ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing—a fundamental measure of blood flow to the limbs—with duplex ultrasound, which provides detailed real-time images of blood vessels and flow dynamics. By merging these capabilities, the companies are tackling a long-standing inefficiency in vascular labs and clinics, where these tests are often performed on separate machines, sometimes at different appointments, delaying diagnosis and treatment for millions at risk for conditions like Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

Redefining the Diagnostic Workflow

For vascular specialists, assessing a patient for PAD often involves a two-step process. The first is typically a non-invasive ABI test, which compares blood pressure in the ankle to that in the arm. A low ABI score indicates a potential blockage. To pinpoint the location and severity of the issue, a more detailed duplex ultrasound exam is then required. This bifurcated workflow consumes time, occupies valuable clinic space with multiple devices, and can be cumbersome for both clinician and patient.

CorVascular’s new solution aims to collapse this process. “When vascular specialists are asked to perform an ABI assessment and a lower extremity duplex exam for the same patient, they need a solution that is efficient, portable, and easy to use,” said Spencer Lien, Managing Director of CorVascular, in the announcement. “DuplexABI is designed to support both exams in one streamlined point-of-care workflow.”

This integration represents more than just a convenience; it’s a direct response to the market’s demand for greater efficiency. With an aging population and rising rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the patient load for vascular diagnostics is increasing. A single, integrated system can reduce exam times, increase patient throughput, and potentially lower the per-procedure operational cost for healthcare providers. This focus on practical application is a hallmark of CorVascular, whose VasoGuard product line emphasizes modular, workflow-oriented physiological testing systems.

A Synergy of Specialization

The development of DuplexABI™ is a case study in strategic synergy, pairing CorVascular’s deep expertise in vascular workflow with Terason’s decades of leadership in portable ultrasound technology. CorVascular, founded by Lien, has carved out a niche by designing systems that fit the real-world needs of vascular labs. Terason, founded by Dr. Alice Chiang, has a rich history originating from MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory and was the first to patent portable color ultrasound.

“CorVascular understands the needs of the vascular market and how to translate those needs into meaningful workflow solutions,” noted Dr. Chiang, Terason’s CEO. This collaboration allows Terason to embed its advanced imaging technology, honed in its uSmart product line, into a purpose-built system that addresses a specific clinical gap.

For Terason, this partnership is part of a broader strategy of integrating its core technology into specialized applications. The company has previously announced collaborations to incorporate artificial intelligence for cardiac analysis and to develop novel solutions for sleep apnea diagnostics. By partnering with domain experts like CorVascular, Terason extends the reach and value of its ultrasound platform into new market segments, moving beyond a pure hardware play into providing comprehensive workflow solutions. This approach allows both smaller, specialized firms and established technology leaders to innovate faster than they could alone, creating a competitive advantage in a crowded medical device landscape.

From Clinical Efficiency to Patient Impact

While the immediate benefits of DuplexABI™ target clinical efficiency, the ultimate goal is to improve patient outcomes. PAD affects millions of Americans and, if left untreated, can lead to chronic pain, non-healing wounds, and, in severe cases, amputation. Early and accurate diagnosis is the key to effective management, which often involves lifestyle changes, medication, or interventional procedures to restore blood flow.

By providing a more comprehensive diagnostic picture in a single session, integrated tools like DuplexABI™ can accelerate the timeline from suspicion to treatment. “Combining a physiological test like ABI with the anatomical and hemodynamic detail of a duplex scan gives you a much more complete assessment,” explained one vascular technology analyst not affiliated with the companies. “In cases where an ABI result is ambiguous, such as in diabetic patients with calcified arteries, the immediate availability of an ultrasound can resolve the diagnostic question on the spot.”

This streamlined process reduces the chance of patients being lost to follow-up between separate appointments, ensuring they receive a definitive diagnosis and can begin treatment sooner. For patients, this means fewer visits, less uncertainty, and a better chance of preventing the devastating consequences of advanced vascular disease.

Navigating the Path to Market Adoption

Despite its clear clinical promise, the journey from a prototype showcase at SVU 2026 to widespread commercial success is fraught with challenges. The first hurdle, regulatory approval, appears to be one CorVascular is well-prepared for. The company’s VasoGuard V-Series received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2024, and it successfully completed an FDA inspection with no observations in January 2026, signaling robust quality systems. Terason’s devices also have a long history of FDA clearance. While the press release was silent on DuplexABI's specific regulatory status, it is likely cleared or in the final stages.

The more significant barrier lies in the complex and often unforgiving landscape of medical reimbursement. While established CPT codes exist for both ABI tests (e.g., 93922, 93923) and lower extremity duplex scans (e.g., 93925), payers, including Medicare contractors, often have strict rules about billing for both procedures on the same day. Many apply multiple procedure payment reductions, cutting reimbursement for the second service, which could undermine the financial incentive for clinics to adopt an integrated system.

To achieve profitability, CorVascular must not only sell the device but also arm its customers with a clear strategy for navigating this reimbursement maze. This will require demonstrating to payers that the clinical value and overall cost-effectiveness of an integrated exam justify full reimbursement. Success will depend on proving that DuplexABI™ isn't just a more efficient way to perform two separate tests, but a fundamentally better diagnostic encounter. The live demonstrations in National Harbor will be the first step in making that case to the clinicians who will ultimately champion the technology.

Topics & Related

Sector:
Medical Devices
Diagnostics
Event:
Product Launch
Partnership
Product:
Medical Devices
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