GE Health announced it has signed a $44 million contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop AI-based point-of-care ultrasound technology to help clinicians diagnose and treat pulmonary pathologies and traumatic injuries to the head, chest and abdomen.
The medical technology company will leverage its existing ultrasound technology to develop an advanced AI-powered ultrasound probe and system aimed at helping clinicians quickly triage and diagnose head injuries, blunt trauma and penetrants, multiple lung pathologies and lung injuries, including lung explosion.
BARDA is part of the Strategic Preparedness and Response Administration within the The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the collaborative aim to improve routine care delivery and strengthen national preparedness for mass casualty incidents.
“Working with BARDA is another step toward realizing the enormous potential of ultrasound technology to help hospitals better prepare for mass casualty events, including a range of traumatic injuries and pulmonary pathologies, as well as improve treatment decision-making and improve patient care. » Dietmar Seifriedsberger, global general manager of point-of-care and portable ultrasound at GE HealthCare, said in a statement.
THE BIGGEST TREND
GE completes spin-off of its healthcare unit in January, and GE HealthCare has since made numerous announcements regarding acquisitions, partnerships and FDA clearance.
The spin-off has reached an agreement for acquired French company IMACTIS, developer of interventional computed tomography (CT) guidance technologies, the same month it became an independent company. A month later, the company announced the acquisition of Caption Health, maker of AI-based ultrasound guidance software.
Since its launch, GE HealthCare has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its Precision DL deep learning image processing software and Portrait Mobile wireless surveillance solution in smartphone format.
Last month, the company was awarded a $44 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop AI applications and tools to help healthcare providers in low- and middle-income countries perform ultrasound scans for fetal and maternal health and respiratory diseases.
He also announced that he had co-developed an AI algorithm with Mass General Brigham to assist with forecast planning and formed a strategic partnership with Mayo Clinic to collaborate on research and development of products focused on AI, precision care and theranostics.