Natus Launches AVEMG, Boosting Objectivity in Neurodiagnostics

MIDDLETON, WI – January 28, 2026 – Neurodiagnostic leader Natus Medical Incorporated today announced a significant step forward in electromyography with the launch of its newest Natus Elite software, featuring the groundbreaking Augmented Visual Electromyograph (AVEMG). The innovation introduces a layer of algorithmic objectivity to the traditionally subjective field of needle EMG, aiming to enhance diagnostic confidence, streamline clinical workflows, and accelerate the training of a new generation of specialists.

The release solidifies the company's position in a rapidly evolving medical technology landscape, blending its 60-year legacy of clinical knowledge with cutting-edge advancements. While the software retains the familiar interface trusted by clinicians globally, the integration of AVEMG represents a pivotal shift toward data-driven, quantifiable assessment of nerve and muscle function.

A New Lens on Neurological Signals

For decades, needle electromyography (EMG) has been a cornerstone for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders. The procedure involves inserting a fine needle electrode into a muscle to record its electrical activity. Interpretation has historically been an art as much as a science, requiring clinicians to spend months, or even years, mastering the ability to distinguish subtle variations in the sounds and waveforms produced by muscle fibers. This reliance on subjective expertise can lead to variability in diagnoses and presents a steep learning curve for practitioners entering the field.

The new AVEMG technology directly confronts this challenge. It employs a novel, proprietary algorithm that runs in real-time during the examination. This algorithm provides an online quantification of the EMG signal's key characteristics, translating the complex auditory feedback into clear, objective visual graphs and plots. This doesn't replace the clinician's skill but rather augments it, offering immediate, data-backed confirmation of what they are hearing and seeing. The result is a more robust and reliable initial assessment, which can optimize the time a patient spends undergoing the procedure and give clinicians greater certainty in their findings.

"Our dedication to listening to customer feedback while respecting our legacy philosophy of incremental change has made Natus Elite a trusted resource in the market," said Natus Vice President of Global Marketing Jordan Grace Miller. Feedback from early users has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the system's speed and user-friendliness. "The key takeaways have been that AVEMG is fast, it makes traditionally subjective testing more objective, it is easy to use, and it has great potential as a teaching tool," Miller added.

Riding the Wave of AI in a Growing Market

The launch of AVEMG is strategically timed, aligning with major trends in the global medical device market. The market for electromyography devices is on a significant upward trajectory, with forecasts projecting it to exceed $2.1 billion by 2034, driven by a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7%. This growth is fueled by the rising prevalence of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, coupled with a demand for more advanced diagnostic tools.

A key trend powering this expansion is the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to automate and refine diagnostic processes. Companies across the neurodiagnostic space, including major competitors like Medtronic and Cadwell, are exploring ways to make complex tests faster and more accurate. By introducing an algorithm that provides online quantification, Natus is positioning AVEMG at the forefront of this movement. It addresses the market's demand for technologies that not only improve patient outcomes but also enhance clinical efficiency, a critical factor in high-volume neuromuscular clinics.

The new software isn't a complete overhaul but a powerful evolution, designed for seamless integration. By maintaining the legacy needle EMG workflow, Natus ensures that seasoned professionals can adopt the new technology without disrupting their established practices, while simultaneously providing a powerful new layer of analytical depth.

Enhancing the Clinician's Complete Toolkit

While AVEMG is the headline innovation, the latest Natus Elite software release is a comprehensive upgrade designed to enhance multiple facets of neurodiagnostic testing. The company has introduced several other key features that contribute to a more complete diagnostic solution.

Among these is an advanced, automated tremor analysis tool for movement disorders. This feature aligns with international diagnostic trends and provides clinicians with a more efficient way to assess and quantify tremors, a common symptom in many neurological conditions. For the research community, a new streaming tool offers simple and complete access to raw neurophysiological data, facilitating high-end research and discovery.

The software also builds on its existing strengths in neuromuscular ultrasound. New enhancements allow for the concurrent evaluation of ultrasound images and needle EMG data, giving clinicians a multi-modal view of the target anatomy and its function. This integration, along with other incremental improvements to the data review process, helps to further streamline workflows and enrich the diagnostic picture. These updates complement existing exclusive features that have cemented Natus Elite's market-leading position, such as HD EMG, which provides ultra-high-resolution signals with 4,800 data points per trace, and InSight NCS, an advanced tool for side-by-side nerve conduction study comparisons.

From the Lab to the Classroom: The Educational Impact

Perhaps one of the most significant long-term impacts of AVEMG will be in the realm of clinical education. The technology's ability to shorten the notoriously long learning curve for EMG interpretation has profound implications for training programs and the standardization of care.

"It can take clinicians months or even years to learn to recognize sounds from traditional EMG," Miller explained. "AVEMG speeds up the learning curve by providing visual graphs and plots that confirm what they are hearing."

This visual, data-driven feedback loop can help neurology residents and neurophysiology fellows build confidence and competence more quickly. By providing an objective reference point, AVEMG can help standardize interpretation skills across institutions and among clinicians with varying levels of experience. This could lead to more consistent diagnostic quality and help bridge expertise gaps, particularly in underserved areas where access to highly experienced specialists may be limited.

Natus is well-positioned to drive this educational shift through its established "Natus Neuro Training Academy" (NTA). This platform already provides extensive educational resources, product training, and hands-on courses for healthcare professionals. The integration of AVEMG-specific modules into the NTA curriculum will likely be a key part of the company's strategy to ensure clinicians can fully leverage the technology's capabilities, ultimately translating this innovation into a higher standard of care for patients with disorders affecting the brain and neural pathways. The new software, therefore, stands as both a powerful diagnostic instrument and a transformative teaching tool for the future of neurophysiology.