Philips collaboration introduces integrated tele-ultrasound device

In a new partnership, Royal Philips and Innovative Imaging Technologies (IIT) have introduced a tele-ultrasound solution tool.  

The collaboration, announced by Philips in a March 26 press release, has combined Lumify, Philips portable ultrasound machine, and IIT's Reacts collaborative platform to connect clinicians in real-time by turning a compatible smart device into an integrated tele-ultrasound application capable of combining two-way audio and visual calls with live ultrasound streaming.

“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, VP Business Segment Leader Point-of-Care at Philips, in a prepared statement. “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.” 

The integrated technologies will allow users to switch to the front-facing camera on a smart device to show the probe's position. Both parties can then can view the Lumify ultrasound stream and discuss the same ultrasound image and probe positioning, according to the press release.  

“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 Quebec, Canada-based IIT, in a prepared statement. “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.” 

Philips and IIT hope that this tool with be valuable in connecting and educating medical students and residents, emergency service and disaster relief providers and hospitals with satellite clinics. 

"Being able to integrate seamlessly into our ultrasound app this capability on smart devices is going to really change the game," Hamlin said in an interview with MDDI Online. "It's not just connecting those three things at the same time, which is what we're doing, but it's doing it with devices that can be with the clinician no matter where they're at."