Quick Summary
- Device: Butterfly Network’s iQ3 handheld ultrasound
- FDA Clearance: Cleared as a point-of-care ultrasound device, featuring advanced 3D capabilities and AI-powered imaging modes.
- Technological Enhancements: Doubles data processing speed and improves ergonomic design for whole-body scanning.
- Impact: Brings affordable, accessible imaging to diverse healthcare settings, from emergency rooms to remote care.
Butterfly Network has achieved FDA clearance for its next-generation handheld ultrasound, the iQ3, representing a major step forward in digital imaging technology. The iQ3, built on the company’s proprietary Ultrasound-on-Chip™ technology, integrates advanced features like iQ Slice and iQ Fan, which automate and enhance imaging quality, making it accessible to clinicians regardless of experience. This third-generation handheld device doubles the data processing speed of previous models, improves image resolution, and supports more ergonomic handling for whole-body scans.
Transformative Features of the Butterfly iQ3
Butterfly’s iQ3 is designed to improve clinical workflow by offering enhanced imaging modes that allow healthcare providers to conduct scans faster and more accurately. iQ Slice captures sequential, high-quality images across a wide angle, reducing the need for manual adjustments. iQ Fan, another new feature, automates virtual “fanning” during lung scans, enabling clinicians to focus on analyzing conditions rather than adjusting probe positions.
The device’s ergonomic redesign makes it more comfortable to use over extended periods, reducing strain for clinicians. It also features a smaller, lighter probe head and user-friendly controls, enabling faster, more precise imaging without compromising on quality. With a runtime twice that of previous models, the iQ3 provides longer operational capacity, supporting continuous scans across a wide range of settings.
Aiming to Democratize Medical Imaging
Butterfly Network’s goal has been to make high-quality ultrasound imaging accessible and affordable. At a competitive price, the iQ3 is positioned to support healthcare providers in emergency departments, primary care, and remote locations where access to advanced imaging technology may be limited. Joseph DeVivo, Butterfly Network’s CEO, noted, “With iQ3, we’re setting a new standard for digital ultrasound by delivering sharper images, faster data processing, and seamless accessibility.”
Butterfly Network plans to showcase the iQ3’s capabilities at the upcoming J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, where further insights into its impact on patient care and global imaging access will be shared.
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