Corvus: AI-Driven Surgical Triage Startup Backed by Mayo Clinic and Redesign Health

Corvus, a new healthcare technology startup, has emerged from stealth mode with the backing of Mayo Clinic and Redesign Health. The company aims to revolutionize the surgical referral process by leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline administrative tasks and improve patient care.

Automating Surgical Referrals

Corvus has developed an AI-powered platform designed to automate the complex and often time-consuming process of surgical referrals. The system proactively collects and organizes patient documentation, including medical records, imaging, and lab results, before the initial surgical consultation. This approach addresses a significant pain point in healthcare, as less than 50% of surgery referrals currently result in actual procedures.

Ian Strug, founder and CEO of Corvus, explained the significance of their solution: "On its face, it sounds like a really small, niche problem and I love these really weird, small back-end administrative problems that no one's thought about, because it actually creates a tremendous bottleneck."

AI-Assisted Decision Support

Beyond document collection, Corvus employs algorithms to analyze patient data and provide recommendations on surgical candidacy. The platform uses a human-in-the-loop approach to review these AI-generated decisions, ensuring accuracy and reliability. The company aims to secure FDA approval as clinical decision support software, which would allow for greater automation in the referral process.

Strug envisions a future where such automation becomes standard: "We see a world where it makes sense and where our customers are ready to fully automate some of these mid-cycle, back-office processes."

Mayo Clinic Partnership and Clinical Validation

Mayo Clinic's involvement extends beyond financial investment, with the renowned institution serving as a strategic partner, co-developer, and initial pilot site for Corvus. Several Mayo Clinic physicians, including Dr. Michael Kendrick, Chair of Surgery, have been instrumental in the product's design and clinical validation.

This collaboration is expected to facilitate the peer-reviewed studies necessary for FDA approval. While specific data on the solution's effectiveness is not yet publicly available, the partnership with Mayo Clinic lends significant credibility to Corvus's approach.

As the healthcare industry continues to seek innovative solutions to improve efficiency and patient outcomes, Corvus's AI-driven approach to surgical triage represents a promising development in the intersection of technology and medical care.