From surgical waste to life-saving data: How FluidAI’s Origin™ is redefining post-operative care
FluidAI Medical's Origin™, an inline bio-sensing system for real-time, bedside monitoring of surgical effluent, has received FDA 510(k) clearance in the United States. This milestone marks a major leap forward in transforming post-operative recovery through data-driven, intelligent care. Origin™ connects seamlessly to standard surgical drains and delivers continuous pH data visualization turning what was once an intermittent measurement into a real-time signal that empowers clinicians to detect subtle biochemical shifts.
FluidAI will soon reach another important milestone, by supporting patients across 100,000 total operations.
Learn more about how FluidAI is redefining surgical care through real-time data and intelligent insights from Ricky Tjandra, Director of Research at FluidAI Medical.
What inspired the founding of FluidAI Medical, and how does the company aim to transform post-operative care?
FluidAI was born from a dinner table conversation between our CEO, Youssef, and his mother, a surgeon. She often expressed concern about not knowing how her patients were doing after surgery, and that uncertainty weighed heavily on her. Youssef, then an engineering student at the University of Waterloo, saw an opportunity to solve this problem through technology.
FluidAI was founded to bring data-driven insights into the surgical recovery process, empowering care teams to make better decisions and improve patient outcomes globally.
For those unfamiliar, what is the Origin™ device, and why is its real-time pH monitoring of surgical effluent such a breakthrough?
Origin™ is a key component of our system. It’s a hardware device equipped with nano sensors that detect changes in the biochemical composition of fluids exiting the body post-surgery. Traditionally, these fluids were considered medical waste and measured only intermittently, once or twice a day.
Origin™ changes that by continuously monitoring these fluids in real time. The data is sent to our app, which provides clinicians with actionable insights and risk scores, helping them intervene early or discharge patients sooner when appropriate.
Origin™ has been described as unlocking a new data layer in post-operative care. What does that mean in practical terms for clinicians and patients?
Before Origin™, pH monitoring of surgical effluent was limited to point-in-time measurements. With continuous monitoring, we can now observe trends and trajectories in a patient’s recovery.
This real-time data gives clinicians a clearer picture of how a patient is healing, enabling more informed decisions and better outcomes.
How do FluidAI’s other AI-powered tools, like Stream CMx and Inara, support intelligent recovery alongside Origin™?
Our original focus was on detecting anastomotic leaks—a serious post-surgical complication. But as we explored the surgical space further, we saw broader opportunities.
Origin™ handles post-operative monitoring. Inara is our patient engagement and education platform for pre- and post-op care. Stream CMx is a clinical documentation tool that helps generate better discharge reports.
Together, these tools create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports surgical teams and patients throughout the entire surgical journey.
What were some of the biggest technical challenges in developing Origin™, and how did your team overcome them?
One major challenge was designing a continuous pH and conductivity sensor that could be safely and effectively attached to patients. We invested significant time and resources into solving that.
Another challenge was demonstrating how Origin™’s data could improve patient outcomes. It took a collaborative effort across our technology, clinical, regulatory, and data science teams to bring this vision to life and deliver real value to both patients and clinicians.
Origin™ recently received FDA 510(k) clearance. What does this milestone mean for FluidAI and the future adoption of Origin?
It’s a huge step forward. First, it opens up the U.S. market—the largest medical device market in the world—allowing us to expand and impact more patient lives.
Second, FDA clearance gives us credibility in other regions, showing that Origin™ is validated and trusted. This boosts confidence among clinicians and accelerates adoption globally.
Looking ahead, what’s next for FluidAI? Are there new innovations, partnerships, or expansions on the horizon?
Our dream is to be in every surgical department worldwide, helping patients recover faster and healthier. We’re constantly innovating and seeking partnerships that align with that vision.
Whether it’s new technologies or expanding our reach, everything we do is aimed at improving surgical outcomes.
What kind of feedback have you received from clinicians using Origin™ in real-world settings?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re currently running clinical trials in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. with top institutions.
In Saudi Arabia, Origin™ is already in limited market release and being used with real patients. Clinicians have told us how Origin™ helped them detect anastomotic leaks earlier and save lives.
That kind of impact is what drives us to keep pushing forward.
To learn more about FluidAI Medical and its innovations, visit www.fluidai.com.