Quipu srl

What Quipu srl does

Quipu srl is an Italian medical software company founded in 2011 and headquartered in the CNR (National Research Council) Research Area of Pisa. The company develops Cardiovascular Suite, a Class IIa medical device software platform for assessing early markers of cardiovascular risk through vascular ultrasound imaging. The platform is organized into two core measurement modules: FMD Studio, which performs automated flow-mediated dilation (FMD) analysis of the brachial artery to evaluate endothelial function, and Carotid Studio, which measures carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), arterial stiffness, and plaque characteristics. The underlying technology relies on a proprietary mathematical operator for sub-pixel precision edge detection on B-mode ultrasound images, enabling echotracking-level accuracy without requiring ECG gating, plus automatic Doppler flow analysis for shear-rate normalization of FMD values.

The product runs on both Windows and macOS, is validated in multicenter studies (including a 675-scan FMD/GTN study), and is distributed primarily as USB-dongle-protected software licenses (freemium 14-day evaluation, commercial subscription, and perpetual licenses), supplemented by hardware accessories such as probe holders and Magewell video converter kits. The company holds FDA 510(k) clearance, CE marking under EU MDR 2017/745, and ISO 13485:2016 certification, and sells through direct channels as well as regional distributors in the UK/Ireland (Smart Medical Ltd) and France/Algeria/Morocco (Hogimed S.A.S). Primary customers are academic research laboratories, universities, and hospital-based vascular and metabolic units, with documented case studies spanning Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the US, Thailand, and Brazil. The company is privately held, founder-operated, and operates with 1–10 employees.

Name

Quipu srl

Legal name

Quipu s.r.l.

Website

https://quipu.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Quipu srl develops Cardiovascular Suite, an FDA-cleared, CE-marked medical device software for assessing early cardiovascular risk markers via vascular ultrasound imaging, serving research institutions, universities, and hospitals worldwide through its FMD Studio and Carotid Studio modules.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Imaging Software

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Hemodynamic Monitoring & Cardiac Diagnostics (Cath Lab, FFR/IVUS/OCT) (HLAHAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

eCOA/ePRO/eDiary & Patient-Facing Data Collection (HLACAOAB)

Keywords

• Medical imaging software
• Vascular ultrasound analysis
• Cardiovascular assessment
• Endothelial function
• Flow-mediated dilation

Headquarters

HQ city

Pisa

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses: Quipu generates revenue through the sale of software licenses for Cardiovascular Suite, which includes FMD Studio and Carotid Studio modules. The company offers Evaluation Licenses (14-day trial), Commercial Licenses (paid), Time Licenses (time-limited), and Perpetual Licenses. Licenses are managed via USB dongle keys.
2. Hardware Sales: Quipu sells complementary hardware including probe holders (single-axis and three-axes positioning stages) for FMD studies and video capture devices. The Magewell USB Capture AIO video converter is sold as part of a kit (QV-KIT8) with necessary cables and adapters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Quipu develops and sells Cardiovascular Suite, a Class IIa FDA-cleared and CE-marked medical device software for assessing early markers of cardiovascular risk through vascular ultrasound imaging. The platform comprises two measurement modules—FMD Studio for brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (endothelial function) and Carotid Studio for carotid intima-media thickness and stiffness—powered by proprietary sub-pixel edge-detection and wall-tracking algorithms that operate without ECG gating. The software runs on Windows and macOS and is sold to research institutions, universities, hospitals, and clinical investigators worldwide, alongside complementary hardware accessories.

Product overview

Quipu srl develops Cardiovascular Suite, a unified Class IIa medical device software platform for assessing early markers of cardiovascular risk through vascular ultrasound imaging. The platform comprises two core measurement modules: FMD Studio for endothelial function assessment via flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, and Carotid Studio for carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness measurement. Both modules share the same user interface, archive system, and licensing infrastructure. The platform runs on Windows and macOS, processes ultrasound video in real-time or from recorded files, and is distributed with optional hardware accessories including probe holders and video converter kits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cardiovascular Suite: A new generation software platform for assessing early markers of cardiovascular risk through ultrasound imaging, including FMD Studio and Carotid Studio modules.
• FMD Studio
• Carotid Studio

Products and services

• Cardiovascular Suite Class IIa medical device software platform for assessing early markers of cardiovascular risk through ultrasound imaging analysis. Comprises FMD Studio and Carotid Studio modules sharing a common interface, archive, and licensing; runs on Windows and macOS.
• FMD Studio Software module for assessment of endothelial dysfunction via Flow Mediated Dilation (FMD) test of the brachial artery. Features real-time diameter measurement, automatic Doppler flow analysis for shear rate calculation, and sub-pixel precision edge detection without ECG gating.
• Carotid Studio Software module for simultaneous measurement of carotid artery stiffness and intima-media thickness (IMT). Uses echotracking-precision mathematical operators for sub-pixel analysis, supports real-time and offline ultrasound scanning, and includes plaque analysis with gray-level normalization.
• Vascular Age Calculator Web-based tool that calculates apparent vascular age based on carotid intima-media thickness measurements and displays IMT percentile relative to healthy population reference values.
• FMD Probe Holder Adjustable probe holder with magnetic base and micrometric positioning stage designed to maintain ultrasound probe position during FMD examinations. Available in single-axis and three-axes positioning models.
• QV-KIT8 Video Converter Kit Kit containing Magewell USB Capture AIO video converter with necessary cables and adapters for connecting ultrasound systems to computers for real-time video analysis with Cardiovascular Suite.

Quantifiable outcome

• FMD Studio validated with CV = 9.9% intra-day variability (1 hour apart) and CV = 12.9% inter-day variability (1 month apart) in multicenter study of 675 FMD/GTN scans
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Smart Medical LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmart Medical Ltd serves as the authorized distributor for Quipu's Cardiovascular Suite in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Located in Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire, UK. Contact: +44 (0)8707 705168, [email protected]. Smart Medical specializes in medical equipment distribution in the UK market.
• Hogimed S.A.ScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHogimed S.A.S serves as the authorized distributor for Quipu's Cardiovascular Suite in France, Algeria, and Morocco. Located in Toulouse, France. Contact: +33 687 583617, [email protected]. Hogimed handles sales and support for the French-speaking and North African markets.
• Magewell Electronics Co.supportingTechnology or IntegrationMagewell USB Capture AIO video converter is recommended and supported for use with Cardiovascular Suite to connect ultrasound systems to computers for real-time analysis. Quipu provides this device as part of QV-KIT8 kit with necessary cables and adapters.
• Epiphan System Inc.supportingTechnology or IntegrationEpiphan AV.io HD video capture device is referenced in software documentation as compatible hardware for real-time analysis. Requires latest firmware update from Epiphan. Earlier versions of the software supported this device.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Skidmore Medical (distributor peer): Smart Medical Ltd is Quipu's authorized distributor in UK/Ireland. While not a direct product competitor, it is a relevant comparable as a specialist cardiovascular/ultrasound equipment distributor in Europe and a channel peer for similar niche medical device software.

Direct peers

• Epsilon Imaging: Epsilon Imaging developed EchoInsight for strain imaging and cardiovascular ultrasound analysis (acquired by GE HealthCare). It is comparable to Quipu as a specialist in quantitative cardiovascular ultrasound analysis used in research and clinical settings.
• TOMTEC Imaging Systems: TOMTEC (a Philips company) develops 2D/3D cardiovascular imaging analysis software for echocardiography and vascular ultrasound, competing directly with Quipu's Cardiovascular Suite for clinical research and cardiology workflows. Both vendors provide validated, vendor-neutral measurement tools used in multi-center studies.
• Pie Medical Imaging: Pie Medical Imaging (now part of Esaote/Philips) provides CAAS (Cardiovascular Angiography Analysis System) and vascular ultrasound analysis tools. Its vascular solutions compete with Quipu's Cardiovascular Suite for clinical research in cardiovascular imaging quantification.
• Medis Medical Imaging Systems: Medis offers QVAS and other cardiovascular imaging analysis packages for vascular and cardiac ultrasound, MRI, and CT. Its QVAS module directly competes with Quipu's Carotid Studio for IMT and vessel measurement, serving the same research and clinical research customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Circle Cardiovascular Imaging: Circle CVI is a larger incumbent in cardiovascular imaging analysis, primarily focused on CMR and CT but expanding into broader cardiovascular measurement. It serves a similar research hospital customer base but operates at a much broader scope and scale than Quipu.
• Esaote: Esaote is an Italian-headquartered ultrasound equipment manufacturer with embedded vascular measurement tools. As an ultrasound OEM, it competes indirectly with Quipu by bundling comparable measurements into its own consoles, potentially compressing Quipu's value as a third-party add-on.
• Philips (IntelliSpace / QLAB): Philips offers QLAB and IntelliSpace cardiovascular analysis tools bundled with its EPIQ and iE33 ultrasound systems. Comparable to Quipu in providing vascular measurement, but as part of a much broader imaging portfolio.
• GE HealthCare (Vivid / EchoPAC): GE HealthCare provides EchoPAC and Vivid ultrasound systems with built-in vascular and cardiac analysis packages. As a dominant ultrasound OEM, GE represents both a competitive threat and a potential acquirer of Quipu's standalone analytical IP.

Emerging players

• Cardiovascular Engineering Inc. CVE develops and validates non-invasive vascular measurement technologies for research and clinical trials, including applanation tonometry and FMD. It is comparable to Quipu as a specialized vascular biomarker company targeting multi-center cardiovascular research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Quipusrl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/QuipuAdmin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2999422

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Quipu srl