A new AI tool is revolutionising the use of Handheld Ultrasound for Heart Imaging, making heart imaging more accessible and accurate, even for non-expert users.
Traditionally, these portable devices, about the size of a handheld squeegee, require highly trained medical personnel to operate due to the complexity of capturing clear images of the heart. The heart’s 3D structure, its constant motion, and the interference from surrounding ribs and lungs make accurate imaging particularly challenging.
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s (NTNU) Centre for Innovative Ultrasound Solutions (CIUS) have developed an AI tool that guides users in positioning the ultrasound probe correctly. This innovation could allow healthcare professionals who are not ultrasound experts to effectively use these devices in various settings, such as doctor’s offices, emergency vehicles, or regions with limited access to skilled clinicians.
“We’re trying to simplify echocardiography for non-expert clinicians so we can spread it from the hospital out into the world,” said David Pasdeloup, the researcher behind the tool. Echocardiography, which uses ultrasound to create images of the heart, is crucial for emergency assessments, detailed diagnoses, and monitoring heart function over time.
Pasdeloup trained the AI tool by feeding it hundreds of cardiac ultrasound recordings, helping it learn to differentiate between correct and incorrect images. Now, the tool can provide real-time guidance on a tablet, showing the operator how to adjust the probe for an optimal view of the heart’s key structures.
The tool has proven beneficial even for experienced clinicians by standardising the images they capture, reducing variability between operators. This standardisation is critical for detecting small but significant changes in heart function, especially when monitoring patients over time.
Handheld Ultrasound for Heart Imaging – additional benefits
In addition to improving imaging accuracy, the AI tool can automatically calculate essential heart function metrics like left ventricular volume and ejection fraction, saving clinicians valuable time during scans.
Despite its promise, the tool is not yet ready for widespread clinical use. The next steps include integration with commercial ultrasound devices and obtaining regulatory approval from agencies like the FDA in the US and CE marking in the EU. The journey from innovation to clinical adoption will take time, but the potential impact on global healthcare is significant.
AI is rapidly transforming medical device production, enhancing the capabilities of existing technologies and driving the development of new, innovative solutions. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into medical devices, it enables more precise diagnostics, personalised treatments, and streamlined workflows, significantly improving patient care.
However, this surge in AI-driven advancements also brings new challenges in regulatory compliance. Regulatory bodies, such as the FDA and the European Medicines Agency, are adapting to ensure that these AI-powered devices meet stringent safety, efficiency, and ethical standards. For manufacturers, navigating this evolving landscape is crucial to bringing AI-based medical devices to market, ensuring that they not only meet compliance requirements but also gain the trust of healthcare providers and patients alike.
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