Greg O’Grady, professor of surgery at the University of Auckland and co-founder and CEO of Alimetry, left surgical practice in 2021 to develop technology aimed at improving the diagnosis of functional stomach disorders. His company’s Gastric Alimetry is a prescription, wearable test that maps the stomach’s electrical activity through 64 adhesive electrodes placed on the upper abdomen. During a roughly four-and-a-half-hour assessment that includes a standard meal, the system records gastric electrical rhythms and correlates them with patient-reported symptoms—without endoscopy, tubes or radiation.
The technology is designed to help investigate symptoms such as chronic nausea, vomiting, early fullness and post-meal pain, including symptoms associated with gastroparesis. A 2024 study of 75 patients found abnormalities in 33% using Gastric Alimetry, compared with 23% using gastric emptying scans; combining both tests identified abnormalities in 43%. The FDA first cleared the device in 2022, extended its clearance to patients aged 12 and older in 2024, and issued a sixth 510(k) clearance in September 2026.
However, clinical evidence remains limited. Much of the published research comes from the founders’ research groups, and randomized trials have not yet demonstrated improved treatment decisions or patient outcomes. Insurance coverage also varies.