QT Medical Secures $12 Million Series B Funding to Advance Home-Based 12-Lead ECG and Telemedicine Solutions

Electrocardiogram (ECG) examination, as a routine test for patients with heart disease, is of paramount importance.

It not only helps physicians clarify the heart’s electrical activity and determine whether patients have arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, or other conditions, but also aids in assessing whether patients have cardiac enlargement, myocardial hypertrophy, or related issues.

However, for patients with heart disease, traveling long distances to hospitals for electrocardiogram (ECG) examinations has long posed a risk of excessive cardiac strain, potentially exacerbating their condition.

QT Medical is dedicated to addressing this issue.

This is a medical device company based in Torrance, California, USA. Its core product, the PCA 500, is a portable 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) machine that integrates a compact recorder, patented pre-set electrode straps, a user-friendly mobile app, and a HIPAA-compliant cloud platform, enabling anyone to obtain hospital-quality 12-lead ECG readings anytime, anywhere. It not only detects common arrhythmias but also identifies subtle changes in ECG signals, allowing patients to detect issues promptly and facilitate early disease intervention.

The PCA 500, independently developed by QT Medical, enables patients to undergo regular at-home check-ups and monitoring, allowing them to receive timely care anytime and anywhere without the need to queue at hospitals. Furthermore, the device is user-friendly and requires no professional expertise, supporting operation by non-medical personnel or even patients themselves. During use, patients simply need to apply a disposable electrode belt, and a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) can be completed within three minutes, with results viewable and shareable via smartphone or tablet.

Traditional electrocardiogram (ECG) machines require the placement of 10 individual electrode strips and the connection of 10 lead wires, a process that is time-consuming. The lead wires sometimes become tangled, forcing ECG operators to spend additional time organizing them. Furthermore, even well-trained and experienced technicians may place leads incorrectly, which can easily lead to misdiagnosis.

The PCA 500 significantly reduces the likelihood of such errors. Its patented EKG electrode strip pre-positions ten electrodes on a single strip in standard locations and sequence, greatly simplifying lead wire placement, minimizing the risk of lead reversal and misplacement, and improving the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of electrode placement. Furthermore, as a single-use device, the EKG electrode strip minimizes the risk of infection.

Operators simply need to apply the device to the chest and limbs as instructed, enabling automatic connection of all leads. This facilitates rapid, simple, and accurate 12-lead ECG acquisition, significantly reducing both electrode placement time and overall operation time.

The proprietary filters and signal processing algorithms in the PCA 500 provide superior ECG signal quality, enabling diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of hospital settings when patients use the device at home.

PCA 500 Electrode Belt Placement Procedure. Image source: QT Medical official website

In addition, the PCA 500 can optimize workflows and staffing for cardiac disease treatment. As it does not require specialized technicians to operate, it allows physicians and nurses to focus more on patient communication and care, without spending excessive time on ECG machine operation.

Weighing only 67 grams and measuring 7.2 x 6.8 x 1.8 centimeters, the device is smaller than a deck of playing cards and can be easily carried in a shirt pocket. Furthermore, the PCA 500 features a unique splash-resistant design that protects against water droplets, sweat, and other liquids, thereby enhancing the product’s durability and safety. Notably, the PCA 500 is equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery that provides up to 16 hours of continuous operation, allowing users to perform ECG tests anytime and anywhere without concern for power supply issues.

PCA 500 Image Source: QT Medical Official Website

The device connects wirelessly via Bluetooth and includes an app compatible with iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Users can transmit ECG data in real time to smartphones, tablets, or computers for convenient viewing and analysis, or upload the data to the cloud to access professional diagnostic services provided by QT Medical.

The PCA 500 not only enables patients to monitor their heart health at home but also reduces the cost of rehabilitation following acute cardiac care. For instance, patients often experience chest discomfort after undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or stent implantation and are uncertain whether rehospitalization is necessary. The PCA 500 effectively addresses this issue by facilitating real-time communication between patients and cardiologists. By uploading their ECG data to the cloud, patients allow cardiologists to provide immediate diagnoses, ensuring timely and appropriate treatment while avoiding unnecessary emergency department costs.

Moreover, QT Medical provides a variety of tools to help users conduct in-depth analysis, comparison, and interpretation of ECG data. Users can leverage QT Medical’s built-in algorithms or customize their own to evaluate various parameters within the ECG data, such as heart rate, rhythm, and waveforms. Additionally, users can access QT Medical’s integrated professional knowledge base to obtain the latest ECG diagnostic guidelines and recommendations.

QT Medical also provides an open API (Application Programming Interface), enabling users to integrate QT Medical with other Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems for seamless data exchange and interoperability. Users can import ECG data from QT Medical into EMR systems or export other relevant data from EMR systems to QT Medical via the API. This allows users to manage and utilize all medical information on a single platform, effectively improving the efficiency and quality of clinical care.

Meanwhile, the application safeguards users' private health information, ensuring that test results are accessible only to the users themselves or their authorized physicians. Upon completion of the test, the application generates a PDF report for users to view, print, or email to their doctors.

To make the PCA 500 more accessible to patients, QT Medical has launched its Xpress ECG service. Users can order an ECG device online and have it delivered to their homes. By simply creating a free online account and placing an order, customers will receive doorstep delivery from QT Medical. Once the test is completed, the results are immediately uploaded to the cloud for remote viewing. Afterward, patients just need to mail the recorder back to QT Medical.

On May 4, 2018, QT Medical received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance. On June 4, 2020, QT Medical announced that the PCA 500 had achieved another significant milestone by obtaining CE certification. Furthermore, QT Medical earned ISO 13485:2016 certification through adherence to rigorous guidelines and high-standard quality management system practices, establishing itself as a manufacturer of high-quality medical devices.

But QT Medical did not stop there. On January 11, 2022, QT Medical announced a partnership with 19Labs, a company dedicated to addressing telemedicine challenges on a global scale.

It is understood that 19Labs’ intelligent telemedicine platform, GALE eClinic, is available in various configurations to suit different scenarios and needs. The platform integrates more than 20 smart diagnostic devices covering a wide range of medical specialties. Recently, QT Medical’s PCA 500 has joined the GALE eClinic device lineup, providing cardiac patients with convenient electrocardiogram (ECG) testing services. By combining the technologies of 19Labs and QT Medical, the platform offers efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, creating an open ecosystem for physicians and patients that brings telemedicine closer to the traditional clinical experience.

In addition to the ongoing collaboration, it is worth noting that on September 26, 2023, QT Medical announced the completion of a $12 million Series B financing round to accelerate its market penetration, global expansion, and product pipeline development.

Moving forward, QT Medical will continue to enhance the performance and accuracy of its products by leveraging artificial intelligence and cloud computing technologies to optimize the PCA 500’s ECG signal processing and analytical capabilities. The company also aims to expand its market reach, delivering personalized and customized electrocardiogram services to diverse user groups.