Small, easy-to-use device enables physicians to provide more rapid diagnoses by enhancing the physical exam

Launched at the NYSORA World Anesthesia Congress in Dubai

Dubai, UAE; March 6, 2010: GE Healthcare today announced the availability of Vscan, a new, pocket-sized visualization tool developed to provide physicians with imaging capabilities at the point-of-care, in the Middle East.

Roughly the size of a smart phone, Vscan houses powerful, ultra-smart ultrasound technology that provides clinicians with an immediate, non-invasive method to help secure visual information about what is happening inside the body. Vscan is portable and can easily be taken from room to room to be used in many clinical, hospital or primary care settings.

The VScan, showcased at Arab Health 2010 in January, was officially launched in the Middle East at the New York School of Regional Anesthesia (NYSORA) World Anesthesia Congress being held from March 7 to 12 at the Dubai International Convention Centre.

Hisham Youssef, General Manager - Ultra Sound, Middle East, Africa & Turkey, GE Healthcare, said the launch of VScan in the Middle East will significantly add to the convenience of healthcare professionals in providing early health care. "Early and timely diagnosis is the key to more effective treatment. The pocket-size Vscan means that doctors can arrive at the same diagnostic inferences without necessarily having to shift the patient to hospitals for diagnostic reasons. This revolutionary product complements GE's own 'healthymagination' initiative of reducing healthcare costs through timely care."

The Vscan imaging device received 510(k) clearance in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (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, Canada and the Middle East

The ability to take a quick look inside the body using Vscan may help clinicians detect disease earlier. This may prove invaluable in today's busy practice environment including primary care physicians and those specializing in cardiology, critical and emergency care and women's health, as well as hospitalists.

Vscan offers the image quality that until recently was only available with a console ultrasound. Vscan leverages GE's high-quality black and white image technology and color-coded blood flow imaging in a device that fits into a pocket and weighs less than one pound (about 400 grams) at 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide and 5.3  (13.5 cm) inches long. Other features include:

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

  • Intuitive user interface that can be controlled using the thumb

  • Intelligent workflow enhancements

  • Battery charger station and battery life of one hour scanning - good for up to 30 patients based on average of 2 minutes per scan

  • Voice annotation

  • USB docking station

  • Link to a PC for organization and export of data

  • Gateway software with services tools and remote diagnostics 

The Vscan is a prescription device for ultrasound imaging, measurement and analysis in the clinical applications of abdominal; cardiac (adult and pediatric); urological, fetal/OB; pediatric; and thoracic/pleural motion and fluid detection, as well as for patient examination in primary care and in special care areas.

-Ends-

About GE Healthcare:
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.

Our "healthymagination" vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a US$17 billion unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than 46,000 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com.

For our latest news, please visit http://newsroom.gehealthcare.com 

For further information, please contact:     
Kelly Home/ Nivine William                                            
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +9714 334 4550
k.home@asdaa.com; n.william@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2010