Medtronic Partners with Methinks AI to Expand AI-Driven Stroke Assessment in EMEA

Medtronic, one of the world’s largest medical device companies by revenue, has announced a strategic partnership with Methinks AI to expand stroke care capabilities across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa. 

Headquartered legally in Ireland and operationally in the U.S., Medtronic develops and manufactures technologies for more than 70 health conditions, including cardiovascular, neurological, and surgical applications. This partnership supports its Neurovascular business, which includes tools such as stent retrievers and aspiration systems for acute ischemic stroke treatment. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Methinks AI, founded in 2016 and based in Barcelona, provides CE-marked software reportedly capable of detecting over 80% of large vessel occlusions (LVOs) using non-contrast CT imaging alone, including both hyperdense and non-hyperdense LVOs as well as intracerebral hemorrhages. The company’s platform has been validated in clinical settings in Europe and the United States, and it is designed to function even in environments lacking advanced imaging infrastructure. This feature is intended to reduce diagnostic delays and improve treatment timelines. Methinks has also partnered with Microsoft to enhance the scalability and deployment of its technology via cloud-based services.

Methinks AI's software; Source: Methinks AI

By integrating Methinks’ AI tools with Medtronic’s neurovascular device portfolio—such as stent retrievers and aspiration systems—the partnership aims to improve coordination between regional hospitals and stroke centers, enabling faster triage and decision-making. The companies state that the software's ability to analyze non-contrast CT scans could be particularly valuable in streamlining early assessment in under-resourced or high-volume care environments.

Medtronic described the partnership as aligned with its objective to offer comprehensive solutions that extend beyond medical devices, combining AI-assisted diagnostics with established interventional tools. Methinks CEO Pau Rodríguez stated that the partnership is intended to make early triage tools more accessible and to help increase the number of stroke patients receiving timely intervention.