health
HeartFocus Link brings AI cardiac ultrasound to any cart system
DESKi has launched HeartFocus Link, an AI-guided cardiac imaging product that connects via tablet and HDMI to any cart-based ultrasound system. The FDA-cleared software, previously available only on Butterfly Network handheld devices, targets the growing sonographer shortage that leaves 92% of eligible hospitalised patients without echocardiography.
TL;DR
- DESKi launched HeartFocus Link, an AI-guided cardiac imaging software compatible with any cart-based ultrasound system via tablet and HDMI.
- The software, previously exclusive to Butterfly Network devices, now expands its reach to address the sonographer shortage.
- HeartFocus Link offers AI-powered guidance for capturing diagnostic-quality cardiac views, including real-time probe positioning instructions.
- Features like Auto Record and a real-time quality scoring system are designed to assist trainees and improve image acquisition efficiency.
- The product targets medical schools, residency programs, and training institutions, with clinical deployment to follow.
- The demand for ultrasound examinations has significantly outpaced the growth of the sonographer workforce, leading to under-utilization of echocardiography in hospitals.
- AI-guided imaging tools like HeartFocus aim to enable non-specialist clinicians to capture usable cardiac images more efficiently.
- DESKi received FDA clearance for HeartFocus and has a Predetermined Change Control Plan for algorithm updates.
- HeartFocus partnered with Inteleos to launch the first AI cardiac point-of-care ultrasound certification.
- The HDMI-based approach of HeartFocus Link provides AI guidance as an overlay, limiting its ability to process raw ultrasound data compared to fully integrated solutions.