Oct 12, 2018

Philips Lumify ultrasound set to run a marathon

Estimated reading time: 2-4 minutes

Philips, start-up company Usono, and Eindhoven University of Technology use Lumify mobile ultrasound to investigate muscle response to prolonged physical exercise

Weighing no more than the average smartphone, Philips’ Lumify mobile ultrasound is turning out to be a perfectly wearable device, and a powerful tool in sports science, helping researchers to investigate the effects of prolonged and intense physical exercise on the human body. In collaboration with Eindhoven-based start-up Usono, which designs and develops ergonomic solutions for attaching ultrasound probes, and the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Lumify is about to be put to the test during this year’s Eindhoven Marathon (Sunday, October 14).

Using Usono’s new ProbeFix Dynamic fixation device to securely attach the Lumify probe, four marathon runners will have a 10-second ultrasound film of their upper leg muscles recorded every kilometer. With the aid of these videos, TU/e researchers expect to be able to better assess acidification in the muscles and thus better understand the impact of intensive sports on the human body. The collaboration between Philips, Usono and TU/e is part of the Eindhoven Marathon 'Innovation Lab' – an initiative designed to make the Eindhoven marathon the most innovative marathon in the world.

You The city of Eindhoven and the Brainport region breathe innovation. With the Eindhoven Marathon, we want to be a part of this by creating a testing ground for startups that test new products.

Edgar de Veer

Eindhoven Marathon Director

"The city of Eindhoven and the Brainport region breathe innovation,” says Edgar de Veer, Eindhoven Marathon Director. “With the Eindhoven Marathon, we want to be a part of this by creating a testing ground for startups that test new products."

Philips Lumify ultrasound set to run a marathon

Enabling point-of-care and tele-ultrasound

The Philips Lumify app-based ultrasound solution, which allows high quality point-of-care ultrasound imaging using no more than the lightweight Lumify probe and a smartphone or tablet, is already being used by hospitals, ambulance services, emergency departments, disaster relief organizations and sports organizations (for example, soccer club PSV Eindhoven), for on-the-spot assessment of injuries. Recently launched in Kenya and powered by Innovative Imaging Technologies’ Reacts interactive audio-video communication platform, it is also a fully integrated tele-ultrasound solution that will play an important role in bringing universal health coverage to disadvantaged and underserved populations. It will provide community care workers, such as community midwives, with a quick and convenient diagnostic tool for use in the field, together with the ability to quickly access expert medical opinion when needed.