Pocket-sized, easy-to-use device enables doctors to provide more rapid diagnoses by enhancing the physical exam
JOHANNESBURG-- MARCH 10, 2010 -- GE Healthcare today announced the availability of Vscan, a new, pocket-sized visualisation tool developed to provide physicians with imaging capabilities at the point-of-care.
Roughly the size of a smart phone, Vscan houses powerful, ultra-smart ultrasound technology that provides doctors with an immediate, non-invasive method to help secure visual information about what is happening inside the body. Vscan is portable and can easily be taken from room to room to be used in many clinical, hospital or primary care settings.
During a media briefing to introduce Neil Boyce, newly appointed Country Manager for GE Healthcare in South Africa, Boyce said, "The healthcare industry needs solutions, and we must innovate with smarter processes and technologies that will help doctors and hospitals deliver better healthcare, to more people, at an affordable cost".
The ability to take a quick look inside the body using Vscan may help doctors detect disease earlier. This may prove invaluable in today's busy practice environment including primary care doctors and those specialising in cardiology, critical and emergency care and women's health.
"The primary goal of every point-of-care health practitioner is to detect diseases and complications as early as possible, promoting faster and ideally more effective treatment. Vscan is more than a simple diagnostic tool. The handheld device should help doctors make treatment decisions more quickly," added Boyce.
Vscan offers the image quality that until recently was only available with a console ultrasound. Vscan leverages GE's high-quality black and white image technology and colour-coded blood flow imaging in a device that fits into a pocket and weighs less than 400 grams, is 7.6 cm wide and 13.5 cm long. Other features include:
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An online portal provides Vscan users with training tools for the product and basic clinical applications with sections about imaging technique, anatomy and troubleshooting;
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Intuitive user interface that can be controlled using the thumb;
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Intelligent workflow enhancements;
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Battery charger station and battery life of one hour scanning -- good for up to 30 patients based on average of 2 minutes per scan;
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Voice annotation;
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USB docking station;
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Link to a PC for organisation and export of data;
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and Gateway software with services tools and remote diagnostics.
The Vscan is a prescription device for ultrasound imaging, measurement and analysis in the clinical applications of abdominal; cardiac (adult and pediatric); urological, fetal/OB; pediatric; and thoracic/pleural motion and fluid detection, as well as for patient examination in primary care and in special care areas.
The Vscan imaging device received 510(k) clearance in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the CE Mark by the European Union, as well as the Medical Device License from Health Canada and is commercially available in the U.S., Europe, India, Canada, Middle East and now South Africa.
About GE Healthcare:
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.
Our "healthymagination" vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a $17 billion unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than 46,000 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com.
For our latest news, please visit http://newsroom.gehealthcare.com
Thuli Phiri
GE Global Growth Organization
[email protected]
+2711-784-2598
+2771-422-2606