The Portray System

About The Portray System

The Portray System, developed by Surround Medical Systems, Inc., represents a significant advancement in the dental imaging market. The company, founded in 2015 and based in Morrisville, North Carolina, operates in the HealthTech and Diagnostic Equipment sectors. Formerly known as XinVivo, the company is privately held and venture capital-backed, having raised a total of $29.7M over two funding rounds. A key milestone was receiving FDA 510(k) pre-market clearance in August 2021, permitting the commercial sale and use of the Portray system. The technology originated from discoveries made at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The Portray System is an intraoral 3D Tomosynthesis dental X-ray system designed to provide dentists with more detailed diagnostic information than traditional 2D imaging. It functions by using multiple X-ray beams from an array of focal spots to capture a series of images from different angles. Proprietary software then reconstructs these images into a 3D volume, allowing clinicians to scroll through 0.5 mm "slices" of the patient's teeth and surrounding structures. This provides a virtual dissection of the oral cavity, enhancing the detection of conditions such as caries, fractures, endodontic issues, and periodontic conditions that may be missed on a standard X-ray. The system also generates a synthetic 2D image, and the workflow is designed to be similar to conventional intraoral imaging, facilitating easy integration into dental practices.

A primary benefit is the ability to gain superior diagnostic clarity without the significantly higher radiation dose associated with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). The system includes a wall-mounted articulating arm for flexible positioning, a specialized sensor, and intuitive software that can be integrated with major dental practice management systems. The business model centers on the sale of this complete hardware and software package to dental practices. The company targets dentists seeking to enhance their diagnostic capabilities beyond the limitations of 2D radiographs, effectively bridging the gap between 2D X-rays and 3D CBCT scans. By providing more accurate initial diagnoses, the system aims to improve patient outcomes, streamline clinic workflow, and offer a tangible return on investment for practitioners.