GE to sell mobile phone size ultrasound scanner

By siliconindia   |   Wednesday, 21 October 2009, 22:25 IST
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San Francisco: General Electric (GE), one of the world's biggest maker of medical imaging equipment, has planned to sell an ultrasound device early next year and it would be the size of a mobile phone. "It's about the same size as a BlackBerry," said Jeff Immelt, CEO of General Electric, holding up a white device that appeared to fold in the middle like a flip-phone. The top of the device showed an ultrasound image, while the bottom showed control keys. The price of the device was not disclosed, but Immelt asked the audience to imagine these devices going to Africa and helping health care providers there and determine 'if a baby is breech'. "This could be the stethoscope of the 21st century," said Immelt, while demonstrating the device at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco. The device is 75 millimeters, or about three inches, wide; 135 millimeters, or about 5.3 inches, long and 28 millimeters, or less than one inch, high, according to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval notice filed in September. Immelt also demonstrated an enhanced online medical records system, in which patient data is combined with clinical outcome data and research to help caregivers to apply effective and current treatments to patients. "Medical records don't win only because they give patients portable electronic files, but rather, it's about making better clinical decisions faster," said Immelt.