Dopl Technologies, a Seattle startup, has developed a telerobotic ultrasound system aimed at bringing specialist care to patients in rural areas. This technology allows for remote control of a robotic arm located in a rural hospital by a sonographer in a different location, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to urban areas for diagnosis and treatment. The company recently won the 2024 Flywheel Investment Conference in Wenatchee, Wash., and received $150,000 in funding from the Flywheel Angel Network.
Founded almost two years ago, Dopl’s mission is to increase patient access to care, improve patient outcomes, and reduce costs for hospitals. Co-founder and CEO Ryan James, a former Microsoft software engineer, leads the team alongside co-founder and COO Steve Seslar, a cardiologist with years of clinical practice experience, and chief medical officer Wayne Monsky, an interventional radiologist. Their telerobotic ultrasound system is designed to enable hospitals to provide ultrasound exams to patients in their community, eliminating the need for traveling specialists for in-person procedures.
Currently, Dopl is focused on understanding its customers and not on growth, as they work towards obtaining FDA clearance for their telerobotic ultrasound system, planned for next year. The startup is generating revenue by sending traveling ultrasound specialists to rural hospitals using conventional equipment. The long-term goal is to transition their customers from in-person exams to telerobotic exams once the technology is approved. Dopl’s strategy has been compared to Netflix shipping DVDs before they began streaming content.
Dopl’s newest partnership with T-Mobile utilizes the carrier’s 5G network to enable their telerobotic exams to be conducted anywhere, including moving vehicles on land, at sea, and even in space. This expansion of their platform into a mobile solution further enhances their ability to bring healthcare to remote locations. Despite facing competition from traditional ultrasound systems, AI assistants, and other telerobotic systems, Dopl remains focused on providing innovative solutions to the healthcare industry. The startup has raised over $800,000 to date from investors including Techstars, Seattle Angel Conference, and various angels.
With five employees on board, Dopl Technologies has made significant strides in the development of their telerobotic ultrasound system. Their commitment to improving patient care in rural areas through advanced technology has garnered them recognition and financial support from various sources. As they continue to grow and expand their capabilities, Dopl is poised to make a lasting impact on the healthcare industry by providing innovative solutions to longstanding challenges in access to specialized care for patients in remote locations.
