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Point of care, reimagined


As ultrasound becomes ubiquitous, smart technologies are playing a vital role in diagnostic speed and accuracy. Medical device manufacturer, Mindray, is pioneering smart tools for ultrasound applications to enhance accuracy and speed of examinations and boost clinical confidence and decision- making.


Following the pandemic, the UK’s waiting list for non-obstetric ultrasound was reported to be the largest out of all imaging modalities, accounting for 33% of the 1.34 million outstanding diagnostic tests – an increase of +65% since June 2020.1 According to NHS England, demand for non- obstetric ultrasound had risen 3.8% between 2014-2019, equivalent to 7.6 million exams.2 The demand for diagnostic imaging is typically rising 10% faster than other healthcare demands3


and, in point of care, ultrasound has


been demonstrated to reduce the number of imaging tests required, and complement patient assessment and diagnostic reasoning.4 Trade bodies, like AXREM, are campaigning for sustained investment into diagnostic imaging so that the UK’s healthcare system can access cutting-edge equipment, address talent shortages, and ensure the Government’s 19 new community diagnostic centres are equipped to cut down NHS waiting lists effectively.5 Smart tools and artificial intelligence are


increasingly being identified in health strategies, such as the NHS Long Term Plan, as a key approach to meeting increasing demand, improving efficiency and to enhancing quality.6 Mindray’s national sales and marketing manager for ultrasound, Paul Johnston, explains the company’s approach to research and development in this field: “The bulk of our technologies support faster assessments with high quality imaging and automatic calculations. With such a broad range of clinicians and practitioners using the company’s machines, many smart tools in devices like the TEX20, TE9 and ME8 also guide users’ transducer placement to secure accurate images and replicate results more easily across a multitude of clinical scenarios.


“In addition to the smart tools for ultrasound, 6 www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I February 2023


the devices can connect to electronic patient records (EPRs) and enable two-way interoperability, where reports can be uploaded instantly to reduce transcription errors and enable seamless data flow.”


An essential tool for every clinician Studies have indicated that point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) can produce high sensitivity, high specificity and high accuracy compared to other established diagnostic imaging modalities. PoCUS has also shown faster time for diagnosis and change in management.7 Dr. Madan Narayanan has 12 years’ experience as a consultant for anaesthetics and intensive care, currently based at Frimley Park Hospital. A heavy user of ultrasound, he is among the specialists who have been instrumental in optimising the adoption of ultrasound technologies within their hospital: “One of the biggest risks we face is underutilising ultrasound machines. It’s something we’re very conscious of at Frimley Park. When our colleagues undergo training, we always ask: ‘Do you know how much these machines can do?’ “I’ve seen every department embrace


ultrasound; in a way, it’s replaced the stethoscope as an everyday medical tool. To ensure we work efficiently, colleagues who use ultrasound in any capacity must go through regular training to demonstrate that they can use the machines effectively to obtain clear images and make accurate assessments. “For learners, the smart tools in our Mindray


ultrasound machines help them develop their confidence and obtain much more accurate images right from the outset. I’ve done a lot of demonstrations with the TE9 and, thanks to the AI transducer guidance, I can get a very clear


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THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL


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Understanding checklist challenges Key factors to drive improvement in SSDs


image of the heart even though it’s outside of my specialty. “Although our clinical teams regularly


complete ultrasound training, it’s reassuring for them to have an arsenal of tools that ensure their assessments are conducted swiftly and accurately, especially in emergency scenarios. They’re a vital part of developing competence, standardisation and consistency, and enhancing clinical confidence across departments.”


Ready for Action Specialist applications of ultrasound in perioperative care and cardiovascular assessment are the primary focus for Mindray’s smart tools. For instance, the aspiration of gastric contents is a serious complication of anaesthesia and is associated with high morbidity and mortality8


but the Auto GA tool automatically


identifies the edge of the gastric antrum and calculates the area with a single screen tap. This provides great clinical value for quick decisions regarding patient suitability for surgery. More smart tools are available to support


clinicians, as Dr. Narayanan continues: “The smart tools in Mindray’s ultrasound machines make it much easier for me to complete nerve blocks and conduct routine examinations in the ICU. By way of example, Smart Nerve automatically recognises the brachial plexus and highlights the nerve so I can complete nerve blocks with much greater accuracy. “The artificial intelligence with iNeedle is a major benefit for line placements too as the beam steering means I can quickly adjust a needle’s trajectory if needed. Coupled with 4D magnetic guidance with the eSpacial Navi tool you can place lines much more accurately. This improves outcomes for patients and the quality of training for our teams.”


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