Innovative Health Tech Solutions Spotlighted at Scientific Sessions 2026

Celebrating Health Tech Innovation

The American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 showcased remarkable health technology innovations. During this prestigious event, several companies made headlines for their cutting-edge solutions aimed at improving patient care in cardiology and rehabilitation.

MedRhythms: Revolutionizing Stroke Rehabilitation

MedRhythms, located in Portland, Maine, has developed an innovative therapy designed specifically for individuals facing walking challenges following a stroke. This home-based, prescription therapy utilizes music with precisely timed cues to help patients retrain their walking abilities.

By wearing special foot sensors, patients can engage in walking exercises that are personalized to their unique rhythm and movement. The software adapts the music in real-time, providing motivational cues to enhance walking speed and quality.

Brian Harris, the founder and CEO of MedRhythms, stated, “Millions of people are living with walking difficulties after a stroke, yet many have limited access to effective rehabilitation once they leave the clinic. Our solution brings a personalized, music-based therapy into the home.” This innovative approach aims to improve access for stroke patients and raise awareness about their rehabilitation needs.

Vascudyne: Advancements in Surgical Grafting

Vascudyne, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, has been recognized for its groundbreaking development of blood vessel grafts designed for heart surgery. This innovation aims to reduce the reliance on harvesting veins from patients for bypass surgeries.

The grafts are particularly beneficial for children with congenital heart defects, offering a solution that can grow alongside them. Vascudyne's approach involves using human donor cells to generate new tissue, which is then structured into a collagen framework that can integrate with the patient's own cells post-implantation.

According to Zeeshan Syedain, PhD, CEO of Vascudyne, “Heart surgeons have always had to choose between living tissue harvested from the patient and off-the-shelf materials that can't heal or grow. Our bioengineered vessel is designed to become the patient's own living tissue.” This recognition helps underscore the potential impact of their technology as they advance in clinical trials.

Innovators Recognized by AHA

The recognition for both MedRhythms and Vascudyne came after thorough evaluations by a panel of judges from various fields, including cardiovascular medicine, health technology, and research. These judges were present at the Health Innovation Pavilion during the two-day competition held on November 7-8 at Chicago's McCormick Place.

This competitive event is part of the AHA’s flagship program for bringing forth the latest research and advancements in cardiovascular science to the forefront.

More About the Health Tech Competition

For additional details about the Health Tech Competition and innovations shared during the Scientific Sessions, you can visit the AHA’s official health tech competition page.

It is important to note that selection as a finalist or winner does not imply any endorsement or validation by the American Heart Association regarding the companies or their technologies.

Resources for Further Information

• Health tech competition finalists advance solutions for heart and brain health
• Global health tech competition aims to improve cardiovascular and brain health
• Houston-based medical technology wins overall in 2025 competition

Stay connected with the American Heart Association on their social media platforms to keep up with the latest news and innovations in heart health.