1984
ACI Medical was founded in Los Angeles with the development of the IV RateMeter, a novel device for IV fluid administration, which was later sold to a larger medical company.

1986
ACI began manufacturing plastic components for other medical device companies specializing in providing design assistance to lower costs and improve product performance. By request, ACI developed a special air pump for use in the blood pressure monitors of one of its plastic components customers. ACI’s air pumps are now sold in various models for a variety of medical and industrial gas sampling applications. These contract OEM activities continue to this day.

1988
ACI began design of its APG® product, a non-invasive diagnostic device for quantifying the components and severity of chronic venous disease. Clinical testing at major medical universities in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan led to worldwide sales in a niche market. This device has been on the Mir Space Station, and more are being developed for the International Space Station to assess the effect of micro gravity on the vascular system of space travelers.

1990 – today
While testing a prototype of a new ACI device at a local hospital, clinicians and researchers noticed that it created a large increase in arterial blood flow. Realizing the importance to relieving arterial disease, ACI Medical sent prototypes of the ArtAssist® device to academic sites for further testing. After establishing that the device provided therapy that reduced ischemic leg pain, further studies identified the optimal design parameters to maximize the effect in patients with arterial disease. Several patents were issued.

Continuing studies showed both short-term and permanent benefits in studied patients. Immediate therapeutic benefits include reduced pain and healed ulcers. Using the device for three months leads to permanent improvements such as collateral vessel formation and the prolonged ability for patients to walk farther and pain-free after ceasing to use the ArtAssist® device.

In addition to being able to purchase the device, a rental program also exists to provide the ArtAssist® device directly to patients for use at home.

ArtAssist - Arterial Assist Device Brochure