So you need to get an Ultrasound? No need to line up an appointment, doctor’s order, technician, and pay some enormous fee. Nah… There’s an App for that!
Ok. Well maybe not yet, but soon that could be a very real possibility.
John Cook at GeekWire writes about a company called Mobisante who “is looking to transform the industry with a new technology that turns a smartphone into a miniature ultrasound device”. Ultrasounds are so bulky and expensive, you know. We need a version that anyone with a modest $7,495 and a smartphone can easily put into their pocket.
Ok.
So it’s aimed at medical providers, and not consumers. And it’s not quite ready for your iPhone… yet. But I’m sure some rich soon-to-be-momma’s would gladly fork out the cash to get a look at their future kid whenever they wanted. Honestly, if I had that type of cash to throw around when I was pregnant, I can’t say I wouldn’t have entertained the idea.
But it’s possible that Mobisante will be selling this incredible ultrasound attachment within the next month. According to BusinessWeek, top-end portable ultrasound systems currently cost upwards of $100K. So if you think about it, $7,495 is really just a drop in the pan in the world of medical devices. Of course, the FDA isn’t making this an easy process for the parties involved. As VentureBeat states “it has dragged on so long that reporter Heather Kelly notes that the system “ships with a Toshiba TG01 touchscreen phone running Windows Mobile 6.5 — a device that was originally released in 2009.””
But apparently, they are bringing this device to market much faster than others have in the past. So perhaps there is still hope for innovation in healthcare with being trampled by regulatory agencies. Mobisante executives state it’s “probably the shortest time frame for a medical device to move from concept to a commercial product.”
The Mobisante portable ultrasound device is a competitor of GE’s new Vscan device. The company is founded by former Microsoft mobile executive, Sailesh Chutani, and David Za, a researcher at Washington University in St. Louis. Mobisante is backed by WRF Capital and other investors.
What exactly would a Smartphone Ultrasound look like?
More details at: Technolog – Your next ultrasound: Delivered on a smartphone?.
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A brilliant invention to be sure – not sure it will ever be able to replace the care given and the advice available at a traditional ultrasound appointment though? Very useful though for on-the-go checking on baby!
hard to say really. What it can do is making ultrasound technology a more convenient and useful tool for medical professionals.
Looking forward to trying one out. You think they will make a vaginal probe as that is 90% of our use in Gyn? Hope so!
Really?
All the US from my baby boy were done the “regular way” (don’t know the gyno term for it). Even my 1st one was done on my belly.
I would imagine it would just be changing the “wand”. The app and the connection are likely the biggest cost. Once they have fabricated the one, I would think that the other wouldn’t be too difficult or more expensive. The problem, I have learned, with medical equipment is the need for FDA certification and the nightmarish hoops they may you jump through.
I think it is a wonderful idea. There are lots of good uses especially in the ER or for first responders. The possibilities are endless.
Thanks for sharing!
Want!
I think we are closing in on a 21st century stethoscope.
There are so many things a device like this can do for you. Difficult IV start? Ultrasound. Is this dyspnea the patient’s CHF or their COPD? Ultrasound. DVTs, cholecystitis, free fluid, abscesses, soft tissue injuries (you can diagnose sprains with US — it’s really cool).
You are completely right!
Price of the basics is going up while the high-tech stuff goes down. Isn’t that interesting?
You’d think we’d focus on making food cheaper…
I Agree! We’re going to be able to do so much more so much easier with technology like this.