GE Healthcare introduces Vscan phone-sized ultrasound imaging tool
22 February 2010
GE Healthcare has launched the Vscan, a phone-sized ultrasound
imaging tool about the size of a smart phone.
Vscan houses powerful, smart ultrasound imaging technology and can
easily be taken from room to room to be used in many clinical,
hospital or primary care settings.
The device (see below right) has received 510(k) clearance by the
US FDA, the EU CE mark, as well as the Medical Device License from
Health Canada, and is now commercially available in the US, Europe,
India and Canada.
"Having
Vscan at my disposal at all times has allowed me to use ultrasound
in a number of settings and with patients that I wouldn't have
anticipated before – from the ICU, to the outpatient clinic as well
as with ambulatory patients," said Anthony DeMaria, MD, Professor of
Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
"Vscan is more than a simple diagnostic tool. The handheld device
should help physicians make treatment decisions more quickly. I
believe the Vscan technology will play an important role in physical
exams."
The ability to take a quick look inside the body using Vscan may
help clinicians detect disease earlier. This may prove invaluable in
today’s busy practice environment including primary care physicians
and those specializing in cardiology, critical and emergency care
and women’s health, as well as hospitalists.
"During our initial evaluation of approximately 100 patients
using Vscan, we have been impressed with its image quality and ease
of use," said Jose L. Zamorano, MD, FESC, Director Cardiovascular
Institute University Clinic San Carlos Madrid, Spain. "But even more
important than that, we have experienced first hand the value of
adding such a tool to our clinical and physical examination, adding
clinically relevant information in roughly one out of every four
patients."
Vscan offers the image quality that until recently was only
available with a console ultrasound. Vscan leverages GE’s
high-quality black and white image technology and colour-coded blood
flow imaging in a device that fits into a pocket and weighs less
than one pound at 3 inches wide and 5.3 inches long.
The Vscan is a prescription device for ultrasound imaging,
measurement and analysis in the clinical applications of abdominal;
cardiac (adult and pediatric); urological, fetal/OB; pediatric; and
thoracic/pleural motion and fluid detection, as well as for patient
examination in primary care and in special care areas.