Is there an “ultrasound stethoscope” in your future?

Systems much smaller than a laptop have been possible for several years.

• Esaote’s claims their 50S Tringa is the smallest device currently available
• SonoSite’s 180 put them on the map, initially
• Agilent’s old OptiGo is no longer manufactured, (but here is a picture)

Some claim an ultrasound device small enough to fit in a lab coat or hung around your neck will be available, soon.

Time will tell whether improvements in the physical exam reported by numerous centers, 1, 2, 3, 4 will hold up with wide spread deployment.

Let’s hope that placed in responsible hands, with adequate training and support it will improve outcomes and reduce errors. If it reduces the number of ordered studies, perhaps that will not be a bad thing either.