About RIVANNA: Our Mission and World-First Imaging Technology

At RIVANNA, our mission is to develop and commercialize world-first imaging-based medical technologies that elevate global standards of care. We provide comprehensive imaging solutions for spinal needle interventions, fracture diagnostics, and soft tissue diagnostics that offer enhanced precision, safety, and patient care while remaining cost-effective and versatile. Our technology platform features advanced real-time ultrasound imaging technology and clinician assistance software. With the added benefit of being free from ionizing radiation, RIVANNA’s solutions are indispensable in modern medical practice.

RIVANNA is a commercial-stage medical device innovator and manufacturer based in Charlottesville, VA. We operate an FDA-registered and ISO 13485:2016 certified manufacturing facility, producing the Accuro product line and related medical equipment and components.

Achievements in Medical Innovation

2023

  • Awarded contract from U.S. Government Agency, BARDA, follow-on option to support the further development of the Accuro XV for comprehensive point-of-care musculoskeletal diagnostics and submission of an application for FDA clearance ($30.5 million)
  • Awarded NIH Grant for Expansion of Accuro 3S Indications to Regional
    Anesthesia in Emergency Medicine ($2.9 million)

2022

  • NIH NIAMS entitled Commercialization Readiness for a 3D Image Guidance System to Support Interventional Procedures in the Spine and Pelvis

2021

  • Awarded Contract From U.s. Government Agency Barda to Develop Accuro Platform for Rapid Triage of Blast-related Injuries (Up to $65m)
  • Awarded Phase II NIH NINDS SBIR to Develop Accuro Platform for Real-time Bedside Guidance of Lumbar Puncture Procedures ($2,559,087)
  • Awarded Phase II NIH NIAMS SBIR to Develop Accuro Platform for Real-time Bedside Guidance of Interventional Pain Procedures ($1,730,752)
  • Purchased 10,000 Sq Ft Facility to Facilitate Manufacturing, Commercial, and R&d Growth
  • Distribution Alliance With Tri-anim
  • Launch of True-view Product Line

2020

  • Accuro Second-generation Launch With Thoracic Paramedian Epidural Guidance Preset
  • Awarded Virginia Catalyst Grant to Develop Lumbar Puncture Guidance System ($800,000)
  • Awarded Phase II NIH SBIR to Develop Bone Marrow Biopsy Guidance System ($1,500,000)

2019

  • Distribution Alliance With B.Braun Japan

2018

  • Chinese CFDA Registration
  • Accuro FDA 510(K) Pediatric Imaging Clearance

2017

  • Awarded Phase II NIH NIGMS SBIR to Develop Thoracic Epidural Guidance Mode for Accuro ($1,498,048)

2016

  • Accuro CE Mark
  • Awarded Phase II NIH NIBIB SBIR to Advance Ultrasound-based Fracture Detection Technology ($1,484,330)

2015

  • $3.5m Private Investment Round
  • Accuro FDA 510(K) Clearance and Product Launch

2014

  • Awarded Phase II NIH NIBIB SBIR to Productize Accuro ($1,353,021)

2013

  • Awarded Phase I NIH NIAMS SBIR to Develop Ultrasound-based Fracture Detection Technology ($210,418)
  • Awarded Phase II NSF SBIR to Productize Accuro ($1,410,000)

2012

  • Awarded Phase I NIH NIBIB SBIR to Develop Ultrasound-based Bone Imaging Technology ($231,868)
  • Awarded Phase I NSF SBIR to Develop Automatic Spine Recognition Technology ($149,903)

2011

  • Seed Investment

2010

  • RIVANNA is Founded

With a toaster oven, a trailer hitch, and deer-spine phantom, the initial Accuro prototype was a functional ultrasound scanning system due to resourcefulness and shared vision and responsibility.

Pioneering Ultrasound Technology

RIVANNA began in 2010, founded by graduate students at the University of Virginia. Co-founder Will Mauldin initiated the company after taking a Darden School of Business course while pursuing his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering (BME). Will identified an opportunity to apply his expertise in medical ultrasound technologies to address the high failure rates associated with epidural and spinal anesthesia placement. He recruited fellow BME graduate student Kevin Owen, who had industrial product development experience, to help establish the company.

Without company facilities or funding, they performed early-stage development in Kevin’s home attic, assembling the first circuit boards in a toaster oven. Will created the first prototype ultrasound transducers using a trailer hitch and hot glue, testing it in a deer spine phantom with materials from a recent hunting trip. This initial prototype provided the basic concept and preliminary data that attracted RIVANNA’s first outside funding from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation in collaboration with Dr. John Hossack’s laboratory at the University of Virginia. Private seed investment followed, allowing Will and Kevin to lease office space and hire the company’s first employees.

From these humble beginnings, RIVANNA’s growth was marked by continuous improvement in product technology and securing subsequent rounds of funding. This relentless pursuit of excellence led to a significant milestone in 2015, when the Accuro product obtained FDA clearance and began commercialization. This achievement not only validated the founders’ vision but also marked the beginning of a new chapter in RIVANNA’s journey.

Watch Our Origin Story!

With a toaster oven, a trailer hitch, and deer-spine phantom, the initial Accuro prototype was a functional ultrasound scanning system due to resourcefulness and shared vision and responsibility.