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Ultrasound Equipment

A new era for ultrasound technology

In the near future, it is expected that ultrasound will be used by practitioners from all specialties, aided by advancements in artificial intelligence, integrations, and open platforms.

With significant advancements and more recent developments, ultrasound technology is now a crucial and preferred first-line imaging modality for clinical diagnosis and interventional support in clinical practice. It is one of the most popular tools among doctors of different specialties because it is real-time, non-invasive, affordable, and simple to use. This market segment is expanding the use of sonography outside the confines of the imaging lab to first aid situations, the emergency room, and even the patient’s bedside. Adaptability is the key. Clinicians can now perform procedural and diagnostics applications with more assurance and comfort, thanks to the introduction of touch-enabled compact ultrasound systems, which improve mobility by eliminating bulky keyboards.

When performing the patient’s exam, the physician will have greater clinical confidence, thanks to the significant improvement in image clarity and improved color doppler performance. The new ultrasound systems are created with sealed edge-to-edge surfaces to help prevent liquid ingress (for optimal infection control), and can be used with gloves and a sterile drape in an indoor clinical setting. Infection control is of the utmost importance. Due to various initiatives to automate certain workflow steps, advancements in ultrasound technology are also occurring. The goal is to increase productivity while lowering errors, and next-generation ultrasound systems give doctors automatic or quickly assisted calculations for quicker decision making.

There is an urgent need for ultrasound manufacturers to design and introduce systems with cutting-edge data security features (e.g., encryption, tokenization, secure boot-up with complex password options, etc.) in light of the rising incidences of cyber attacks on prestigious healthcare institutions like AIIMS, ICMR, and Safdarjung Hospital, to protect patient data and reduce security risks before they materialize.

Nowadays, the device manufacturers have begun integrating scan along learning tutorials in newer-generation systems to train and assist physicians in performing exams or guided procedures with ease as ultrasound technology continues to expand its footprint, especially among non-traditional users in emerging specialties (like e-medicine, critical care, and nephrology). The future looks bright, and ultrasound machines will still help doctors provide better patient care.

Technology trends
A new era in ultrasound technology is quickly approaching. Ultrasound technology is a go-to method for numerous specialists to deal with a wide range of ailments and duties, from aiding in the detection of several diseases, such as malignant cells to providing real-time images inside the mother’s womb.

Let us examine how the future of ultrasound imaging is being impacted by new technologies like volumetric ultrasound, 3D and 4D ultrasound, artificial intelligence (AI), tissue harmonic imaging, and ultra-compact ultrasound.

Volumetric ultrasound. In general, volumetric imaging creates images of objects in space by combining multiple 2D images taken from different angles. This allows for a more complete view of an object than would be possible with just a single image. Now, the same concept is being used for medical diagnosis purposes.

Volumetric ultrasound provides 3D images of the body by steering a 2D array transducer in a scan format, using sound waves and computer algorithms to create images of the inside of the body. This imaging modality can be helpful in identifying cancer cells, tumor cells, and other abnormalities, as well as diagnosing various conditions, such as various heart diseases. Further, volumetric ultrasound is often used to help guide procedures, such as biopsies and needle injections.

It is often used to image the fetus during pregnancy. It can also be used to image other organs and structures, as well as to assess relationships between different structures of human body organs. It is a great way to see small structures, and is very clear.

3D and 4D real-time ultrasound imaging. The use of three-dimensional (3D) real-time imaging ultrasound technology is being driven by the demand for more accurate diagnostic images. This type of imaging provides a clear picture of the internal organs and can be used to detect abnormalities, such as tumors. It is becoming more popular because it gives a better view of what is going on inside the body.

3D real-time imaging is becoming more popular for fetal ultrasound. This technology gives a more detailed view of the baby. This technology is new, and there is no standard protocol for its use yet. However, more hospitals are expected to start using this technology in the near future.

Further, this technology helps determine diseases with ease. It helps to achieve better visuals of human body organs. Compared to 2D imaging technology, 3D ultrasound imaging technology also takes less time.

All the vendors today are trying to improve frame rates to increase adoption of 3D. While 2D ultrasound cannot be written off yet, the market share for 3D machines is increasing day by day.

Four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound imaging technology is even more convenient for healthcare specialists, such as gynecologists. Compared to 3D ultrasound technology, 4D ultrasound shows live motion with the help of several images. With this technology, gynecologists can observe the live movement of the baby in the mother’s womb.

4D real-time ultrasound imaging provides a lot of benefits that traditional two-dimensional imaging does not, especially to gynecologists. This type of imaging gives a more complete view of the fetus, as well as showing how the fetus is developing over time. This technology can also be used to monitor multiple fetuses simultaneously. This is beneficial for high-risk pregnancies.

Machine learning and AI. Artificial intelligence has a lot of potential in the MedTech and imaging industry, including in the area of ultrasound technology. Ultrasound waves are used to create images of the inside of the body. This technology has been used for diagnostic purposes for many years. However, interpreting these images can be tricky, even for experienced radiologists. This is where AI comes in to help.

AI-enabled ultrasound machines can quickly and accurately interpret images. This can help doctors diagnose and treat patients faster. Additionally, AI can help identify patterns that human observers may miss. For example, AI can help identify early signs of several serious diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke. This technology has the potential to save lives by providing early diagnosis and treatment.

Mindray Resona 7 enhances clinical research capabilities with its revolutionary V Flow for vascular hemodynamic evaluation and intelligent plane acquisition from 3D datasets for fetal CNS diagnosis.

The latest version of Konica Minolta Sonimage HS1 uses AI-voice recognition for hands-free operation.

Philips Epiq system uses AI for advanced organ modeling, image slicing, and proven quantification to help make ultrasound exams easier. It can extract the optimal scanning slice from 3D datasets, visual mapping, and annotation of screened anatomy with minimal user intervention.

Vscan Extend, GE Healthcare’s handheld, pocket-sized ultrasound, incorporates DiA imaging analysis AI-powered LVivo EF for automated ejection fraction (EF) measurements. LVivo EF provides clinicians with left ventricle EF scoring and volume measurements using AI and advanced pattern recognition algorithms, helping even less experienced clinicians in making better assessment of EF.

Machine learning and AI are expected to make big impact on cardiac imaging in future, and make the biggest impact on recent advancements in ultrasound machines.

Tissue harmonic imaging (THI). This is another new emerging technology that is rapidly changing the use of standard ultrasound techniques. THI is an advanced technology that produces images with greater clarity than standard ultrasound. This means that clinicians can make more accurate diagnoses using THI, and this makes it particularly well-suited for use in cardiac imaging.

In addition, THI technology requires less power and can be performed more quickly, making it more convenient for both patients and clinicians. Further, THI is less likely than standard ultrasound to produce artifacts, which can often lead to inaccurate diagnoses.

Point-of-care ultrasound. There was a big question as to the best imaging modality for detection of Covid-19 and later for monitoring critically ill virus patients in the ICU. CT became a front line imaging modality in most emergency departments, and mobile digital radiography (DR) X-ray systems saw a big jump in sales in 2020 to enable imaging in patient rooms or dedicated units in Covid wards. But, the imaging modality to see a virtual explosion in 2020 was small, compact point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) systems.

Various new technologies integrated with POCUS have been or are in development to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. This includes AI, cloud computing, 5G networks, robots, and tele-remote technology – all set to revolutionize medical fantasies, cascading them into new way of practice.

POCUS with AI can ultimately predict diseases, conduct risk assessments, and realize clinical diagnosis and treatment with greater efficiency.

The cloud is a computing platform utilizing the internet to accelerate the integration of massive amounts of algorithm formulas and storage resources. This not only allows medical personnel to keep endless quantities of images, but cloud-based POCUS provides an easily accessible distribution center. One can now look forward to increased processing speeds, resource allocation optimization, and the ability to share medical information, and learnings instantly.

With 5G-based tele-remote POCUS, expert physicians in a different location use the technology to help guide other providers in performing a POCUS exam in real time. This same technique is also conducted using a remote robot. Medical providers can control a robot to perform POCUS scans remotely and provide a medical diagnosis based on images produced by the robotic scanning. Distance is no longer a barrier to healthcare access due in part to the phenomenal reach of this innovation.

This is only the beginning! The best of POCUS is yet to come. The future is here. Technological advances are allowing POCUS to become commonplace. Innovation is exploding, and POCUS has joined the modern technology revolution. Now is the time to get back to the future.

Outlook
The advancement of ultrasound technology has been truly remarkable, offering a multitude of applications in various medical specialties. Its widespread use in obstetrical care and emergency rooms highlights its utility and effectiveness in patient diagnosis and treatment. However, it is surprising that not all healthcare practitioners are utilizing this technology, given its many benefits.

More and more clinicians, however, are embracing ultrasound technology, recognizing its potential to enhance patient care and improve accuracy of diagnoses. This allows them to offer a wider range of services to their patients, setting them apart from their competition. The adoption of handheld ultrasound devices, supported by cutting-edge technologies like AI, integrations, and open platforms, makes it more accessible and affordable for healthcare providers.

In the near future, it is anticipated that ultrasound will become increasingly prevalent, with practitioners from all specialties incorporating it into their daily routines. This will lead to improved patient outcomes, as well as a more efficient and effective healthcare system overall. 

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