Philips, IIT partner to offer tele-ultrasound
Royal Philips and Innovative Imaging Technologies (IIT) have announced a partnership to integrate Philips’ Lumify portable ultrasound system and IIT’s Reacts collaborative platform for a comprehensive tele-ultrasound solution.
The tele-ultrasound aims to connect clinicians in real-time by utilizing mobile smart devices to combine two-way audio-visual calls with live ultrasound streaming. The developers pointed out many uses for the device including a professor going live on virtual ultrasound rounds to teach students anatomy and probe positioning, physicians consulting colleagues to receive expert real-time guidance, remote midwife calling ab obstetrician to discuss ultrasound exams and an EMT in an ambulance streaming a patient’s condition with hospital staff.
"By combining exceptional mobility and reliability, Philips Lumify with Reacts will open up new doors for the way clinicians collaborate, educate and train," said Randy Hamlin, point-of-care business leader at Philips. "This all-in-one tele-ultrasound solution will enhance care delivery by bringing even more confidence to ultrasound clinicians and removing longstanding barriers in education, support and training."
To use the solution, clinicians begin a React session with a face-to-face conversation on their Lumify ultrasound system. They then use the front camera on a smart device to show the position of the probe in real-time, where the Lumify ultrasound stream of images and probe positioning is shared to both parties in real time.
"Philips was the ideal partner for this revolutionary collaboration. Reacts' secure, versatile and interactive collaboration platform deployed on technology solutions like Philips Lumify can change education and patient care models and enable a positive disruptive change to healthcare," said Yanick Beaulieu, MD, CEO and founder of IIT. "For years, clinicians in the field have been trying to piece together systems that offer real-time, interactive tele-ultrasound capabilities. Now it has truly arrived."
Cara joined TriMed Media in 2016 and is currently a Senior Writer for Clinical Innovation & Technology. Originating from Detroit, Michigan, she holds a Bachelors in Health Communications from Grand Valley State University.