GE HealthCare has expanded its Venue Family point-of-care ultrasound systems with Caption Guidance Software, which provides real-time guidance for capturing cardiac diagnostic images.
The Venue family of products are the company’s first ultrasound devices to feature AI-powered scan guidance technology as an optional add-on that provides new capabilities at the point of care.
GE HealthCare obtained the Caption Guidance software through the acquisition of California-based medical technology manufacturer Caption Health, earlier this year.
A part of the company’s Verisound suite of technologies, Caption Guidance combines its existing ultrasound AI and digital workflow solutions.
The Venue ultrasound systems with Caption Guidance will support clinicians in a broad range of clinical settings and practices, said the medical technology company.
GE HealthCare point of care and handheld ultrasound global general manager Dietmar Seifriedsberger said: “Venue Family ultrasound systems support clinical decision-making at the point of care, including the emergency department, offering simple, fast and precise solutions.
“With the integration of Caption Guidance AI-driven software, these devices can enhance cardiac care and reduce the burden on sonographers and radiology departments by giving more clinicians the ability to perform scans and triage patients.
“The AI software is expected to increase the number of clinicians who can successfully and confidently conduct cardiac ultrasound scans, which is especially useful in emergency or critical care settings where demand is high and accuracy is essential.”
According to the company, Cardiac ultrasound examination is used to determine the structure of the heart using sound waves and is the primary tool for the diagnosis of heart failure.
Its AI-powered Caption Guidance software is designed to provide clinicians with step-by-step instructions to obtain ultrasound images for cardiac assessments.
The new functionality will help care providers who are not experts in ultrasound and enable early detection of signs of heart disease in at-risk patients, to improve clinical outcomes.
Its new Venue family of point-of-care ultrasound systems with Caption Guidance software are commercialised in the US, said GE HealthCare.
Furthermore, the company intends to integrate the AI-powered guidance technology into its other ultrasound systems, to further expand access to diagnostic care.
GE HealthCare ultrasound chief digital officer Karley Yoder said: “We recognise the potential of Caption Health AI in revolutionising ultrasound access and have worked quickly to deliver on integrating this promising technology to improve patient care.
“Within a few months of the Caption Health acquisition, we have successfully launched Caption Guidance as a powerful new guidance tool on our Venue Family ultrasound systems, enabling efficient and confident use of ultrasound at the point of care and strengthening our integrated products and solutions.
“We remain committed to making an impact with this technology and plan to expand its use to maternal, foetal, and pulmonary diseases.”
