‘Smaller is better’ may not
apply
Ultrasound units could evolve until they
disappear
By Greg Petras
In the world of imaging technology, smaller is often better. This definitely
applies to ultrasound, for which the “laptop” theory of system
development is garnering considerable attention. Industry observers view the
continuing shrinkage of ultrasound imaging systems as an aspect of the
modality’s evolution worth watching over the next decade.
“The box will get smaller,” said John Allison, vice president of
product creation for Acuson. “And you’ll be able to utilize this box
in many different environments. Additionally, you’ll actually be able to
integrate the ultrasound system, this much smaller box, into other
instruments.”
As systems become smaller, the computer technology that runs them will
increase in strength, said Bill Carrano, vice president of worldwide marketing
for Acuson. But there will probably come a time when smaller may not necessarily
be better, he said.
“There’s a thin line that’s being closely looked at: How small
is too small? If you make these systems too small, you forfeit some basic
imaging capabilities,” he said. “You lose some of the key things you
need to do a full and comprehensive study.”
Ultrasound systems could eventually evolve to the point that they essentially
disappear, said Helen Routh, senior director of long-term strategy for ATL
Ultrasound. Ultimately, physicians may end up with plug-and-play systems they
carry around with them like stethoscopes.
“On the miniaturization side, you may see the disappearance of what I
like to call the ‘refrigerator on wheels,’” she said.
“Ultrasound may become virtually transparent in the hospital.”
Greg Petras, general manager of imaging at Agilent Technologies, agrees.
“People are projecting that it’s not going to be a stretch to go
into a hospital, plug a transducer into an outlet on the wall, then connect with
a central computer system that will do all the processing and imaging,” he
said. “The primary benefit is to get someone scanned and diagnosed
locally.”
There would be other advantages as well, he added. Such units would enable
users to take advantage of a central image storage system and increasing image
transmission capabilities while providing the ability to examine patients
anywhere in a hospital.
But Petras also sees limitations to the “smaller is better” theory.
He does not envision ultrasound systems becoming simple and inexpensive enough
to be used by patients in the way some devices are used to monitor blood
pressure at home.
“Scanning is a pretty decent art,” Petras said. “You
can’t simply pick up a transducer and get a good image. Unlike a blood
pressure monitor, an ultrasound system not only has to be easy to use, but it
has to be easy to get good at.”
