AI can help novice sonographers deliver optimal echocardiograms

Lang said the technology allows anyone to perform an echo exam and get high-quality diagnostic images. This is why the technology is initially being aimed at the POCUS market, so non-sonographers can capture the proper views needed for a cardiologist or the AI to make measurements.

"The vendors call it 'democratization of echo' because they will help make echo more available. You can talk about physicians in clinics using this, but you can also talk about taking echo to remote parts of the world, and either through AI or Zoom, you can get an interpretation of the echo," Lang said. 

He said these AI systems greatly simplify cardiac ultrasound so that anyone can use it.

"It is easy to do. Actually, my grandson can now obtain an echo," Lang said.

The systems show a thumbnail image in the corner the ultrasound screen to show how to position the transducer and arrows for the direction to move it. Colored bars or a bar graph show the user when they are getting close or are already in the optimal imaging window. The AI then prompts the user to hold position, or how to move or sweep the transducer to complete the exam.

"It is something like a pilot when you see a cross where they want to throw a bomb, these systems actually tell you how to move the transducer over these crosses. It is then interesting that the system will do an auto acquisition. And then the system will use AI to make the measurements on that acquisition. It is an unbelievable thing when you see it working," Lang explained. 

Nurses can use this technology in outpatient clinics to quickly assess oncology patients, and even general practitioners with a handheld ultrasound system in their office can use it to perform a quick triage of a patient.

GE Healthcare signed an agreement to acquire Caption Health in February 2023. GE said it plans to integrate the AI guidance technology into its POCUS systems to help make them easier to use for non-sonographers in the point-of-care market. GE said it has longer term plans to incorporate the technology throughout its other ultrasound systems.

UltraSight announced a partnership at ASE 2023 with Echonous to incorporate its AI guidance technology

Will ultrasound replace the stethoscope?

"We all use a stethoscope; it is a symbol of a physician. But how many know how to use it? But if I can use an ultrasound machine and tell you if your heart is big or small, if it is pumping or not, or if there is pericardial effusion or a huge stenosis, that is a lot of information. In the end, I think you will see this overtake the stethoscope," Lang said.

This prediction was first made by some cardiologists several years ago when small, handheld ultrasound systems first appeared on the market. However, Lang said they were very expensive compared to the cost of a stethoscope at the time. There also are knowledge limitations with non-sonographers that do not have training in ultrasound and not knowing how to perform exams, what to look for, or being used to understand the anatomy in an ultrasound view. 

"Cost was a limiting factor, but the costs have dramatically come down, and with all the AI enhancements, now maybe these systems have a chance of becoming popular," he said.