Over the recent years, ultrasound imaging has evolved
into an extremely versatile diagnostic tool that caters to every discipline of
medical care. Ultrasound diagnostics are widely used in clinical settings due
to its ability to acquire diagnostically relevant images, efficient translation
of these images into diagnostic conclusions, and enabling cost-effective
production of highly complex ultrasound imaging arrays that can capture 3D
volumes. Advancements in electronics in the recent years have led to extraordinary
refinement in all aspects of ultrasound systems. Researchers have been working
towards finding out reliable ways to incorporate many individual transducers
into compact arrays. 2D array can be focused throughout a volume to make a 3D
image which can be done in real time. This capability can enhance ultrasound to
next-level and over the coming years, can potentially allow robotic surgeons to
operate on a beating heart, reducing the need to rely on a heart-lung machine
during surgeries.
Next-generation
ultrasound consisting 2D arrays of ultrasonic transducers can help
physicians perform minimally invasive treatments enabling simultaneous
ultrasound imaging and surgical therapy. As the computer technology evolves,
ultrasound machines are expected to get faster and have more storage memory.
Probes can get smaller and development of insertable probes will allow for a
better imaging of internal organs. Over the recent past, extensive research
activities have been carried out to develop ultrasound imaging in combination
with AR/VR display that can allow physicians and surgeons to observe inside of
the human body while performing minimally invasive or non-invasive procedures
such as biopsy. Combination of deep learning technology and ultrasound imaging
can create cost-effective and affordable 3D MEMS ultrasound platform technology
that can potentially make the next-generation ultrasound device more personal,
autonomous, and efficient in collecting and processing of data. Micro-electromechanical
systems or MEMS have enabled researchers to develop capacitive micro-machine
ultrasonic transducer that are mostly made of silicon.
Development of new diagnostic ultrasound methods have
led to development of open platform ultrasound scanners that can effectively
facilitate practical evaluation of new ultrasound imaging methods. In a recent
news, Israel-based Sofwave Medical Ltd. developed a new treatment called
Sofwave, which is a next-generation non-invasive aesthetic treatment that can
help tackle signs of ageing to tone and lift the skin. The technology has been
cleared by the U.S. FDA in November 2021, for lifting of the eyebrows, neck,
cheeks, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Sofwave utilizes ultrasound heat
to stimulate renewal of collagen deep within the skin. It leverages Intense
Ultrasound Beam technology to generate heat at a specific depth in skin to
promote collagen growth and elastin development in the mid-dermal layer. This
helps in plumping the skin, thickening the layer to achieve tightening effect
while making the skin look healthier.
Major companies in the Next-Generation
Ultrasound market include Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., General Electric
Company, Canon Medical Systems Corporation, Hitachi Ltd., Siemens Healthineers
AG, Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd., CHISON Medical
Technologies Co. Ltd., Butterfly Network Inc., Medgyn Products Inc., and
Claruis Mobile Health Corporation. In April 2022, Fujifilm Sonosite, Inc.,
which is a global leader in point-of-care ultrasound solutions (POCUS),
announced a new addition to its next-generation POCUS portfolio, the new,
premium Sonosite LX system that features the company’s clinical image and
monitor that can extend, rotate, and tilt to enable enhanced and real-time
provider collaboration.
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