Wellumio, led by Co-Founder and CEO Shieak Tzeng, is breaking new ground in stroke care with a portable magnetic resonance-based imaging device designed to bring high-quality brain imaging directly to patients’ bedsides. This innovation aims to address the critical challenge of timely diagnosis, especially in settings where access to traditional MRI systems is limited.

Wellumio was recently featured in The Memo, where we covered their groundbreaking approach to transforming stroke care. 

The company’s pulse gradient-free mapping technology delivers MRI-quality imaging in a compact, mobile format that can be used in emergency rooms, ICUs, and smaller hospitals. This advancement offers a more efficient approach to stroke diagnostics, enabling faster intervention and potentially saving lives.

Wellumio’s Journey to Improving Stroke Care

Wellumio emerged from Tzeng’s drive to enhance stroke diagnosis, informed by his background as a physician and neurovascular scientist. His frustration with delayed stroke care inspired him to seek solutions that could deliver advanced imaging outside of conventional hospital settings.

Collaborating with Dr. Sergei Obruchkov and Dr. Paul Teal, who had been working on portable magnetic resonance systems for industrial applications, Tzeng recognized the potential to adapt these technologies for medical use. The result was a compact, energy-efficient magnetic resonance solution capable of providing rapid, accurate diagnostics directly at the point of care.

The Gaps in Stroke Care Today

Current stroke care is often hindered by slow diagnostic processes that require patients to be transferred to specialized hospitals for imaging. This model creates dangerous delays, especially for patients in rural or under-resourced areas.

“Every minute counts in stroke care, yet only a small percentage of patients are treated within the golden hour,” Tzeng explained. “Our technology aims to change that by providing critical imaging without the need for patient transfers.”

By allowing clinicians to perform stroke assessments at the bedside, Wellumio’s technology eliminates the need for time-consuming transfers, providing a vital solution for facilities that lack traditional MRI systems.

Wellumio’s Portable MRI Solution

Wellumio’s portable imaging device is compact, wheeled, and designed to be rolled directly to the patient’s bedside. Unlike conventional MRI systems, it requires minimal power and space, making it suitable for use in various clinical environments.

The device completes scans in just a few minutes, providing immediate diagnostic information that can guide treatment decisions. This approach offers significant benefits across multiple settings, from smaller hospitals deciding whether to transfer patients to stroke centers to major hospitals optimizing their workflow and improving post-treatment monitoring.

For those interested in seeing the technology in action, you can watch the presentation Shieak Tzeng gave at LSI Europe ‘24, where he demonstrates how Wellumio’s innovation is poised to transform stroke diagnostics. 

Making Progress Toward Market Readiness

Wellumio is actively moving toward regulatory approval and commercialization. The company recently launched its first-in-human feasibility trial in Australia and is preparing to expand trials to the United States by 2025.

In addition to clinical progress, Wellumio has established a California-based subsidiary and recruited experienced medtech leaders to drive commercialization and regulatory strategy. The company’s partnerships with leading stroke specialists will be instrumental in achieving clinical adoption and successful trials.

Join Us at LSI Asia ‘25

CEO Shieak Tzeng will be presenting Wellumio’s innovative approach to stroke care at LSI Asia ’25 from June 10-13. Join us in Singapore to learn more about how this portable MRI technology is redefining stroke diagnostics and making critical imaging more accessible than ever before.