Siemens Introduces Pocket Ultrasound

Siemens Medical Solutions' ACUSON P10 pocket ultrasound system, is a little larger than a common PDA.
The device weighs 1.6 pounds, and fits easily into a lab coat pocket, the company says. It is intended for complementary initial diagnostic care and triage, particularly in cardiology, emergency care and obstetrics.
The ACUSON P10 system can be used by physicians and medical personnel in intensive care units, ambulances and medevac helicopters. Siemens says it can also be used to detect conditions that may be clinically significant, but have previously required expansive or invasive diagnostic testing in asymptomatic patients. The pocket ultrasound device has FDA 510(k) clearance.
The hand-held ACUSON P10 system can be used for earlier, faster screening and triage decisions. Its emergency applications include FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) to detect fluid, determining cardiac activity and pericardial effusion as well as detecting abdominal aortic aneurysms and performing pelvic exams.