Healcerion, a company based in South Korea, has developed a small, pocket-sized ultrasound system that is powerful, portable and does not require electricity for scanning. The SONON series devices weigh just about 360gms and can be used for scanning everywhere you go.
The device wirelessly transmits data to a paired tablet or smartphone where the images are viewed, analyzed and can easily be shared with others. In emergency situations, SONON 300C can use any network, WiFi, 3G and LTE to share still images or videos (MPEG4).
The system supports Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) so that it can effectively store and securely share images through picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) server.
The SONON series is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to 3 hours of continuous scanning with up to 12 hours of standby mode. The battery gets fully charged in 3 hours.
SONON is especially useful in Telemedicine for providing services to patients in remote areas, emergency medical or disaster situations, medical education and consultations.
The Healcerion started with SONON 300C convex array transducer and have recently launched the SONON 300L linear transducer. The SONON 300C is used for scanning abdomen, bladder, FAST, Early and late OB, and Gynecology.
The SONON 300L features color Doppler mode for easier musculoskeletal (MSK), lungs, vascular(carotid), superficial, small parts (breast, thyroid), and other types of imaging.
Healcerion was the first company to receive FDA clearance for a wireless, app-based ultrasound system back in 2015 and it’s SONON 300L was recently cleared by FDA in November 2017.
Dr. Benjamin Jeongwon Ryu founded Healcerion 4 years ago with a hope to make ultrasound more ubiquitous and reachable in areas where electricity and internet connectivity is limited. It is invaluable for trauma care and medical emergencies where a hand-held portable device is every radiologist dream.
The company is further looking to make the device compact and easier to use. It is also focusing on cloud-based solutions as advancement towards mobile-healthcare platforms.
Video of Dr. Ryu showing off a Healcerion ultrasound
Video showing how to get started with using the device
