GE Healthcare has released Vscan, a pocket-sized visualization tool developed to provide physicians with imaging capabilities at the point of care.

Roughly the size of a smart phone, the company said its Vscan houses ultrasound technology that provides clinicians with a non-invasive method to help secure visual information about internal images. Vscan, first unveiled in October 2009, is portable and can be taken from room to room to be used in many clinical, hospital or primary care settings.

GE said the system uses black and white image technology and color-coded blood flow imaging in a device that weighs less than one pound at three inches wide and 5.3 inches long. Other features include:

• An online portal that provides Vscan users with training tools for the product and basic clinical applications with sections about imaging technique, anatomy and trouble shooting;

• A user interface that can be controlled using the thumb;
• Battery charger station and battery life of one hour scanning – good for up to 30 patients based on average of two minutes per scan;
• Voice annotation;
• USB docking station;
• Link to a PC for organization and export of data; and
• Gateway software with services tools and remote diagnostics.

The Vscan imaging device received 510(k) clearance in the U.S. by the FDA, the CE Mark by the European Union, as well as the medical device license from Health Canada and is now commercially available in the U.S., Europe, India and Canada.