Avacen Medical

What Avacen Medical does

Avacen Medical (legal entity AVACEN, Inc.) is a Carlsbad, California-based medical device company founded in 2009 by Thomas Muehlbauer and Danielle J. Forsgren that develops and markets FDA 510(k)-cleared Class II thermotherapy devices under its patented AVACEN Treatment Method (ATM). The core technology combines controlled heat with negative pressure applied through the palm of the hand to activate high-volume arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs), enabling systemic heat infusion and enhanced microcirculation from a single point of contact. The portfolio spans consumer/home devices (AVACEN HOME XL, GXL Gold Edition), a professional-grade device with commercial licensing (AVACEN PRO+), and a diagnostic cardiovascular and stress screening system (AVACEN CSS) using accelerated plethysmography and heart rate variability analysis, with CE Mark and Health Canada approvals supporting international distribution.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market: direct-to-consumer e-commerce (shop.avacen.com) supported by an affiliate network; professional sales to clinicians and wellness practitioners with CPT-reimbursable testing on the CSS device (codes 95921, 95922, 93922 at approximately $67 per test midpoint); and enterprise channel partnerships — most notably distribution into the VA Health System's 1,380 facilities via B&B Health Services and placement in 200+ OsteoStrong wellness centers serving 25,000+ members. Reported revenue exceeds $20 million with 79% three-year growth, qualifying the company for five consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list (2020–2024). The company has raised only modest external capital (a $2M round in 2014 and $285,538.88 via StartEngine in 2023), making it largely self-funded.

Customer reach includes 8,000+ devices deployed globally with over 40 million safe treatments administered and no adverse events reported in clinical use. The company monetizes primarily through one-time hardware sales (consumer devices in the low-thousands range; CSS at $9,995 purchase or ~$7.33/day lease), recurring CPT-billed professional services, leasing via MedOne Capital, and affiliate/referral commissions ($300 per qualified referral). Strategic recent moves include the 2024 OsteoStrong international partnership, 2024–2025 VA Health System distribution via B&B Health Services, and an October 2025 co-development partnership with BrainIQ Health bundling AVACEN hardware with nutrition products in a broader wellness ecosystem.

Name

Avacen Medical

Legal name

AVACEN, Inc.

Website

https://avacen.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Avacen Medical is a Carlsbad, California medical device company that develops and markets FDA-cleared Class II palm-based thermotherapy devices and a cardiovascular stress screening system, sold direct-to-consumer, to healthcare practitioners, and through enterprise partnerships with the VA Health System and OsteoStrong wellness centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Device Sales (Consumer): Direct-to-consumer sales of AVACEN home devices including AVACEN Home XL and AVACEN GXL Gold Edition through the company's e-commerce storefront and affiliate network. One-time hardware purchase with optional extended warranties.
2. Professional Device Sales: Sales of AVACEN PRO+ and professional-grade devices to healthcare practitioners, wellness centers, and spas. Includes commercial license allowing practitioners to charge for treatments.
3. CSS Device Sales/Leasing: Sales and leasing of the Cardiovascular & Stress Screening (CSS) system to healthcare practitioners. Leasing available through MedOne Capital for as little as $7.33 per day. The 5-minute test is reimbursable up to 3 times per year per patient under CPT codes.
4. CPT Reimbursement: Healthcare practitioners can seek reimbursement for CSS cardiovascular stress screening tests using CPT codes 95921, 95922, and 93922. The midpoint for these codes is approximately $67 per test.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Avacen Medical manufactures and sells FDA 510(k)-cleared Class II palm-based thermal therapy medical devices that use heat combined with negative pressure to enhance systemic microcirculation through arteriovenous anastomoses. Its product line spans consumer/home-use devices (AVACEN HOME XL, AVACEN GXL Gold Edition), a professional-grade practitioner system (AVACEN PRO+) with a commercial license for charging treatments, and the AVACEN CSS diagnostic system for cardiovascular and stress screening using APG and HRV analysis.

Product overview

AVACEN Medical offers a portfolio of FDA Cleared Class II over-the-counter thermotherapy medical devices based on its proprietary AVACEN Treatment Method (ATM), which uses heat and negative pressure applied through the palm to enhance microcirculation throughout the body. The product line includes consumer/home-use devices (AVACEN HOME XL, AVACEN GXL Gold Edition), professional/practitioner devices (AVACEN PRO+ with commercial licensing), and diagnostic equipment (AVACEN CSS Cardiovascular & Stress Screening System). The AVACEN CSS is a separate diagnostic tool using HRV and APG technology for cardiovascular screening. The company also offers accessories and replacement parts through its online store, with the original AVACEN 100 now considered a legacy product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AVACEN Wellness: Wellness product line available at avacenwellness.com
• AVACEN Shop
• AVACEN CSS
• AVACEN HOME XL
• AVACEN GXL
• AVACEN PRO+

Products and services

• AVACEN HOME XL FDA 510(k)-cleared, over-the-counter, noninvasive medical device for home use providing palm-based heat therapy for temporary relief of minor muscle pain, joint pain, stiffness, joint pain associated with arthritis, muscle spasms, minor strains and sprains, muscular relaxation, and temporary increase of local circulation. Features color touch screen, video and sound, robust extended-life design, larger hand accommodation, extended treatment sessions, and pop-on/pop-off cuff.
• AVACEN PRO+ FDA 510(k)-cleared professional-grade heat therapy system with commercial license enabling practitioners to charge for treatments. Includes color touch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and RFID support for custom AVACEN Apps, pop-on/pop-off cuff design, 5x reliability improvement over prior PRO, support for over 100 languages, and educational videos plus meditation music. Indicated for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, arthritis pain, muscle spasms, minor strains and sprains, muscular relaxation, and temporary increase of local circulation.
• AVACEN GXL (Gold Edition) Luxury Gold Edition heat therapy device featuring a classic gold finish, designed for spas, doctor's offices, and home décor. Includes a 5-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee. Provides the same FDA-cleared AVACEN Treatment Method as other consumer devices.
• AVACEN CSS (Cardiovascular & Stress Screening) System FDA 510(k)-cleared Class II diagnostic device for healthcare practitioners that measures Heart Rate Variability through Accelerated Plethysmography (APG) to analyze cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system function. Supports CPT codes 95921, 95922, and 93922 for reimbursement. Provides 1-, 3-, and 5-minute HRV analyses with a 2-page printed summary and digital patient history summary. Analyzes arterial elasticity, peripheral elasticity, physical/mental stress, chronic fatigue, and electrocardiac stability. Available for purchase at $9,995 or leased through MedOne Capital at $7.33/day.
• AVACEN 100 Original FDA-cleared Class II OTC medical device providing noninvasive palm-based heat therapy using the AVACEN Treatment Method to warm blood systemically. First AVACEN device to receive CE Mark and Health Canada approval for fibromyalgia pain management. Proven safe with over 2 million uses reported without adverse effects. Now considered a legacy product, predecessor to the AVACEN HOME XL line.
• AVACEN Accessories Accessories and replacement parts for AVACEN devices, including the proprietary Pop-On/Pop-Off Cuff (XL/PRO+ exclusive), VCI Refresh Kit, and other consumables supporting continued safe operation of AVACEN devices.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40% reduction in pain indicators after 28 days of treatment for fibromyalgia patients
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BrainIQ HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2025Partnership combining BrainIQ's neuroscience-driven nutrition products (GLP-1 supplements, brain health capsules, sleep gummies, NAD products) with AVACEN's microcirculation technology. The collaboration creates a next-generation wellness ecosystem for brain health, performance, pain relief, sleep, and longevity.
• Biohack Yourself DocumentaryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 December 2024AVACEN Medical was featured in the 'Biohack Yourself' documentary on Amazon Prime Video, showcasing its revolutionary device and microcirculation technology. The documentary provides brand exposure to wellness-focused audiences worldwide.
• B&B Health ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 November 2024Partnership through which AVACEN Medical provides its FDA-cleared AVACEN palm-based thermo-therapy medical devices to the VA Health System. B&B Health Services facilitates distribution to VA healthcare providers serving millions of veterans annually.
• OsteoStrong (Event Partnership)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 October 2024Joint marketing events including 'The Power of Microcirculation' sessions with Danielle Forsgren and Strong Talks presentations. Special discounts offered to OsteoStrong members for AVACEN device testing and purchases.
• OsteoStrongcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 August 2024AVACEN Medical executed an agreement with OsteoStrong, the leading provider of advanced wellness solutions. AVACEN provides its proprietary, patented products for use in over 200 OsteoStrong locations and for purchase by its over 25,000 members. This international partnership supports OsteoStrong's fast-paced expansion while bringing AVACEN technology to a broader wellness audience.
• MedOne CapitalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeasing partner providing financing options for health practitioners to lease the AVACEN CSS device. Qualified practitioners can lease for as little as $7.33 per day or $11 per day when bundled with the AVACEN PRO+ professional device.
• Cohn Health Institute / BioStacking SummitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Dr. Howard Cohn's BioStacking Summit and Cohn Health Institute for wellness education and promotion. AVACEN served as Super Sponsor with $500 discount offers for VIP members.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• iHeart (Internal Logic): iHeart (Internal Logic) manufactures HRV and autonomic nervous system measurement devices used by clinicians for cardiovascular and stress assessment. It directly competes with the AVACEN CSS diagnostic system in the practitioner HRV screening market.
• Hyperice: Hyperice makes consumer and professional thermal therapy, percussion, and recovery devices used in sports, wellness, and pain management. It competes with AVACEN in the premium consumer thermal therapy / recovery category and shares a similar DTC + professional channel strategy.
• BioElectronics Corporation: BioElectronics manufactures FDA-cleared medical devices using PEMF and other energy modalities for pain management, recovery, and post-surgical healing. It is a direct competitor to AVACEN in the OTC and prescription pain management device category.
• BEMER Group: BEMER manufactures FDA-cleared PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) devices specifically positioned to enhance microcirculation and support cardiovascular health. This is AVACEN's closest direct competitor, as both companies target systemic microcirculation improvement with at-home, non-invasive therapeutic devices.
• Therabody: Therabody manufactures percussive therapy and wellness devices (Theragun, RecoveryAir, etc.) for consumer and professional pain relief, recovery, and performance. It overlaps with AVACEN's consumer pain management and wellness positioning and competes for similar DTC and practitioner channels.
• HeartMath: HeartMath develops HRV-based stress and biofeedback products and technology for clinicians and consumers. It is a direct peer to AVACEN's CSS Cardiovascular & Stress Screening system, which also uses HRV analysis to assess autonomic function and stress.
• Thermotex: Thermotex makes infrared heat therapy products marketed for chronic pain, arthritis, and musculoskeletal conditions. It is a direct peer in the consumer thermal therapy device market, particularly competing in the arthritis and chronic pain home-use segment.

Broad incumbents

• Hologic: Hologic is a large diversified medical device and diagnostics company with products spanning women's health, cardiovascular diagnostics, and connected health. While much broader, Hologic represents the kind of scaled incumbent that could enter or consolidate the cardiovascular and stress diagnostic space where AVACEN CSS competes.
• Chattanooga Group (DJO): DJO / Chattanooga manufactures a broad portfolio of medical therapeutic modalities including thermal, ultrasound, and electrotherapy devices used in physical therapy and pain management. It is a broad incumbent in the therapeutic device market overlapping with AVACEN's professional practitioner segment.
• BTL Industries: BTL Industries manufactures medical devices for pain management, aesthetics, and rehabilitation, including shockwave, electromagnetic, and thermal-based therapy systems. It competes with AVACEN in the clinical pain management and rehabilitation practitioner market with a broader modality portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AVACEN
• Facebookfacebook.com/avacenmedical
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/avacen-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/avacen_medical

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Avacen Medical