A closer look at GE’s pocket-sized Vscan ultrasound

October 21, 2009

Last night at the Web 2.0 summit, GE’s Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt unveiled the new Vscan ultra-smart, ultra-small, ultrasound that may one day become as indispensable as the traditional physician’s stethoscope in patient exams. The thinking behind Vscan is that costs can come down with fewer specialist referrals. Doctors can make a better diagnosis faster. And more patients can access the critical scans they need. Each of those goals is embodied in GE’s new healthymagination business strategy, which is in the spotlight for two weeks during a technology showcase that GE is currently hosting in Manhattan. In the video below, Mike Barber, Vice President of healthymagination, provides a closer look at the new Vscan technology.Last night at the Web 2.0 summit, GE’s Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt unveiled the new Vscan ultra-smart, ultra-small, ultrasound that may one day become as indispensable as the traditional physician’s stethoscope in patient exams. The thinking behind Vscan is that costs can come down with fewer specialist referrals. Doctors can make a better diagnosis faster. And more patients can access the critical scans they need. Each of those goals is embodied in GE’s new healthymagination business strategy, which is in the spotlight for two weeks during a technology showcase that GE is currently hosting in Manhattan. In the video below, Mike Barber, Vice President of healthymagination, provides a closer look at the new Vscan technology.

Mike Barber, Vice President of healthymagination, provides a closer look at GE's new Vscan, which is an ultra-smart, ultra-small, ultrasound.
Pocket-sized technology like Vscan has the potential to help redefine the physical exam and improve patient care by enhancing a doctor’s ability to quickly and accurately make a diagnosis. For critical care clinicians, Vscan can offer an immediate look beyond patient vital signs with the potential to identify critical issues, like fluid around the heart, which could be a sign of congestive heart failure. And for cardiologists, Vscan provides a dependable visual evaluation of how well the heart is pumping at a glance, so they can treat patients more efficiently.

See how the tech blogs covered the Vscan reveal at the Web 2.0 Summit: venturebeat.com; cnet; dintz; activated media; tech news; hot gadget; video mania; tech meme; neurosoft ; northloop; technology; computerworld and finance.sharpnews.info.

* Read “GE Plans to Sell Phone-Size Ultrasound Device in 2010” from Bloomberg
* Read “GE unveils handheld ultrasound machine” from AP
* Register to watch live streams of the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco

At 12:45 p.m. today, GE Reports will host a live webcast of Jeff Immelt’s press conference, which is being held at GE’s healthymagination technology showcase in Midtown Manhattan.

Read our recent stories from the new healthymagination technology showcase:
* “Vscan pocket-sized, ultra-smart ultrasound unveiled”
* “A breakthrough decision support solution for docs”
* “Tackling access with Brivo imaging technologies”
* “The business of bringing healthymagination to market”
* “At the showcase: Health by design and window tweets”
* “Scintillating tech: The world’s 1st high-def CT scanner”
* “Healthymagination tech showcase kicks off in NYC”

Check out photos from the healthymagination showcase on Flickr.


This entry was posted in Healthymagination, Other, Ultrasound and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.
  • Gheorghe Curelet-Balan

    Cool breakthrough technology!

  • andy blyth

    Excellent product really could make a difference. You will need to run educational course for GPs to fully realise its market. In UK ultrasound is a specialisation and normally referred to a Radiology department and so GPs have little working knowledge and may be apprehensive about purchasing.

  • tom

    ultrasound is a “natural” for use in a GP’s office – unlike other imaging technologies, it doesn’t emit electromagnetic radiation, and so it doesn’t require extensive shielding and safety precautions. also, a GP’s training in anatomy is far beyond that of the average ultrasound technician, so training should be fairly minimal.

    most doctors will be happy to use a new technique so long as it’s reliable and priced realistically.

  • Shloime Boruch

    This is a nice idea, but it’s a shame that GE chose to use a “flip phone” format for packaging it, because it is both flimsy and more difficult to disinfect. It’s also questionable whether a doctor would actually need to carry something like this in their pocket, rather than in a bag or on a cart. (Cell phones aren’t usually attached to imaging wands.)

    If GE’s designers were looking for a consumer package to emulate, the Apple iPhone or a tablet PC could have provided a sturdier package with a larger display, while also eliminating the scroll wheel with its little nooks and crannies.

  • Simone French

    This seems like it would be quite useful to docs like me who work in the ER. I hope it wont be priced out of our reach. Would love to see studies on its use in resus etc

  • Mike

    OK. I want to buy it. How much does it cost?

  • Furqan Tejani MD

    Having color on a device with such small footprint is commendible. These are the times when there is a need for a visual stethescope and this would serve a good tool not only in the ER and IM offices but a quick look echo for those with murmurs that otherwise need an echo that more often is normal. In the ER setting with this device the guess work is taken out as cardiac/ vascular and visceral visualization is available.

  • Gerard Armorer, MD

    Mike,
    I just lost a brother to advanced lymphoma after he got a clean bill of health from his GP 3 weeks earlier. It is dangerous to depend on the hands-on approach of doctors and this breakthrough came too late to help Ralph but it will help many others.
    As a GE retiree, I am proud to see that the US can still depend on GE when the going gets rough after we dismantled the guts of America and outsourced it to China. I hope with all my heart that GE continues to be GE with its work-outs, 6 sigma and pushing responsibility down to the employees.
    I am a retired physician but this makes me feel like going back into practice. How much does it cost?
    Thanks for being who you are.
    Gerard Armorer, MD

  • John Ready

    vSCAN Video – I was not able to get the Audio turned on with this video. Any suggestions?

  • VINCENT J. SANTARE

    WHAT IS THE COST OF THE V SCAN?

  • Conrad Clyburn

    Interesting product. We posted a blog on the announcement on the internation MedTech-IQ social network and got immediate responses of interest from thos engaged in mHealth in Africa. Could be a good technology to extend diagnostic capacity into medical remote and under-served regions. See link to post “GE to Launch Ultrasound Device … Size of a Cell Phone in 2010″; http://medtechiq.ning.com/group/mhealth/forum/topics/ge-to-launch-ultrasound-device

  • Aidan

    Ha, it’s an iPod on a Razor with a WiiMote. Very exciting technology, though.

  • Peter Cheung

    will it possible to add 4 dimension scan function to it ? certainly you will need another probe and may not be that handy right!

    Peter Cheung

  • MARCIO PINTO DE CASTRO

    IM A VETERINARIAN AND I LOVE THE EQUIPAMENT AND I CANT
    WAIT TO SEE IF IT S WILL WORK FOR SMALL AND LARGE ANIMALS

  • Brian Dunnigan EMTP

    Hope its available for EMS DOING FAST Exams and tfast for pnuemo’s
    Long axis view would be nice to see with some AA and IVC images.
    If the image quality is good than geat. If not then its a potential toy.
    Signostics umit is 2000 dollars.
    I say lets see image quality then proce it accordingly so we can afford it in EMS.

  • Mehdi Mokarram

    I am very much interested in representing GE, selling Vscan, in Iran. Thanks for the information.

    Mehdi Mokarram
    Ph.D.

  • Anjanette McFarlin, BS, RDMS, RDCS

    As an ultrasound technologist, my only worry is that it will put us out of business. We’re already losing OB patients due to OB/GYNs doing scans in their offices. That said, I want one of these.

  • JAMES KUTTNAUER

    Same image quality as a 250 K device–I sold U/S for 23 years and I am sorry if you compare the image to that of a 250 K Device–Perhaps GE but no other company –not to mention the last PO I had for 282K was from a school of Vetrinary Medicine–Please respect the Ultrasound Community. No way- No How – is the proposed image that of a 250K Device or perhaps it is and the Value of a Premium Ultrasound System was just wiped out. NO MORE DEMO VANS, NO MORE SALES FORCE–Ship the System UPS orFedEX and provide training. Bingo Jeff you just cut costs in the Medical Division. Best to your Company –Kuttnauer

  • Albitar samir

    Hwo can i buy a Vscan ultrasound, What is the price.
    thanks

  • Rene Flores

    I’am a chest physician very saturated of institutional patients. I think this device meet all the criteria for acceptance in my clinical enviroment. How can I get for one?

  • DAVID MICHAELI MD PhD

    Very good device for every practical physician
    For emergency departments, private clinics and for patients individual use (pregnants),
    If possible without probe changing to adjust ultrasound frequency
    2-10 MHz.

  • dr manish jain

    sir,
    i am interested to bye this product. kindly send representative to our hospital.

  • Jaimin Patel, MD

    Wouldn’t it be nice to say atleast approximate price? Is it few hundred dollars or ten’s of thousands?

  • Dr. P. Parte

    Please send me some info and a price for 36x of your GE’s pocket-sized Vscan ultrasound—Tnks

  • Mr. McKinley williams

    I run an Adult Foster Care facility we have a few comsumer that show signs of heart problems, and I would like to help the doctor by getting the comsumer in to seeing him before the problem happen.

    I also want’s to know is the Vscan use only by physican,would it be use in other branches of health care, and how can I purchase one for my Home?

  • Lori Ann Jasenak, MD

    Please send me information on the GE pocket Vscan ultrasound (including the price). Thank you.

  • John Rose, D.O.

    How about price and availability?

  • MIKE PAWLOSKI

    please send price information

  • Sajid

    whats the price

  • VICTOR LAU

    I am a general surgeon from Perú… Can the VScan be useful for the introperative scan of the choledocus into a sterile wrap? and, what is the price?

  • jairo umana

    what is the price?

  • Dr. S V Narasimhan

    Are you really interested in selling your product or just boasting about VScan? If yes, Please quote the price and its availability in India.

  • Lawrence

    you can find this on both your websites, but where do you buy it as you are not responding to emails, people are trying to reach your sales department and seems this is just a joke item. No one seems to have one or know where to get it, or what it cost. I smell fish

  • bulent

    how can ı buy and what is price

  • abdelhakim fathala

    fantastic,
    may be i use it in my reseach of ((impact of ultrasound is a must in safety and quality in logistc managment of prehospital human crisis),as its size,easy,portable,device,
    but may you solve the problem may be presnet with the availabelity of jell in my situation during crisi?
    dr.abdelhakim fathala,

  • Dr. S V Narasimhan

    It is funny! Eversince I heard about you, nearly an year ago, I have been asking one single question: What is the cost and where is it available in India. There has been a lot of interest in the medical field regarding your machine.

    I think it is enough of advertisement. Now, start selling. Or stop telling about your V-Scan hand-held ultrasound system!! Now I have started doubting the very existence of V-Scan.

  • Dr T

    I would like to include US in our primary care resident training program. We have several primary care programs with an international medicine focus. I have been wanting to get an US like this since advertising began more than two years back. Still no information on price that I have seen and how to purchase one. Going on another mission trip very soon and could really use it there. Please contact me ASAP.

  • Nico

    When finally will the first company sell an ultrasound probe that can be connected to an iPhone, iPod or iPad ?!! It is high time for that!! Interson has it for laptops, but you need a Windows system. They all fear to loose the hardware market…

  • Jill Cottrill

    Please send a quote to our hospital through my e-mail

  • GEreporter

    Hello, you can find all information on how to obtain a Vscan here: http://vscanultrasound.gehealthcare.com/

  • GEreporter

    Price and other information can be found here: http://vscanultrasound.gehealthcare.com/

  • GEreporter

    Hello, price and other information on the Vscan can be found here: http://vscanultrasound.gehealthcare.com/

  • GEreporter

    This site contains all the information on the Vscan and how to order one: http://vscanultrasound.gehealthcare.com/

  • GEreporter

    You can find all information on the Vscan at this portal https://www2.gehealthcare.com/portal/site/vscan2/
    including price and other specifications.

  • victoria

    why are you not responding to the request for the cost of this item

  • chris

    what is the price of thisnitem

  • bored

    Can’t you guys read! The Man posted the appropriate website a ton of times where you can find the price. it,s 7,900 dollars happy now? Oh and just so you know only registered physicians can buy it.

  • June,ARRT,ARDMS,MRI,reg.

    As an MRI tech, I am thrilled that you are offering this device to any physician who can afford it. The lack of expertise of untrained physicians and diagnostic xray techs performing poor quality ultrasound exams has greatly increased the number of abdominal MRI scans we are performing, and helped add thousands of dollars to my company’s budget. Thanks, GE!! Keep up the good work!!