New GE units address rising demand for hand-carried ultrasound

The worldwide market for compact ultrasound scanners is expected to grow 36% in 2007, according to Harvey Klein, ultrasound industry analyst and president of Klein Biomedical Consultants. GE reports that global revenue from the sale of compact ultrasound systems grew to $175 million in the third quarter, a 65% gain over the year-earlier period.

GE's latest systems promise to expand this market further, by addressing the specific needs of two specialties underserved by ultrasound: anesthesia and emergency medicine.

Onboard GE's Logiq e Anesthesia Edition, "B-Steer Plus" displays both the needle and patient anatomy in a single image to assist nerve blocks and vascular access procedures. Dedicated software presets simplify use in imaging patients under anesthesia.

The Logiq e Emergency Medicine Edition leverages presets for critical care as might be needed to visualize, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, ectopic pregnanc, or gall stones. A report template quickly organizes patient information.

Common to both are capabilities migrated from the upper hierarchy of GE's ultrasound portfolio: CrossXBeam software that defines tissue boundaries and improves overall image resolution; the Auto Clarity Suite, which automatically optimizes image quality with a button push; the means for transferring patient information to a network folder, where electronic medical record systems can integrate images with patient information; and an optional portable docking station that provides access to probe connections, DVR, and printer.