Lumify handheld ultrasound recognized for benefit to humankind by IEEE Spectrum

Diagnostic images provided by an ultrasound transducer that is connected to a smartphone or tablet, and can be carried in a lab-coat pocket – Introduced in 2015, Lumify was the first app-based ultrasound system from Philips that opened up an entirely new category of diagnostic imaging devices. 

Since then, Lumify mobile ultrasound has transformed healthcare and supported life-saving procedures in the emergency department (E.D.), pre-hospital, and rural community settings. Bedside ultrasound imaging technology gives E.D. doctors access to real-time clinical information so that they can perform diagnosis of patients faster. In the ambulance, it supports physicians and emergency responders to diagnose and treat patients in the field, including to perform ECMO procedures, which could improve the chances of survival of cardiac patients by up to 30 percent.

“Lumify has excellent image quality and is easy to use – it was instrumental in our first pre-hospital ECMO cannulation,” said Dr. Darren Braude, EMS Division Chief and a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Anesthesiology at UNM Health Sciences Center in the U.S.

Lumify with Reacts handheld tele-ultrasound solution lets clinicians around the globe collaborate remotely in real-time based on connectivity. While performing a scan on a patient, either device camera, voice, and live ultrasound image can be streamed to a healthcare professional remotely. The smartphone’s front-facing camera can be used to show the position of the transducer alongside the resulting ultrasound. 

The tele-ultrasound system can allow midwives in rural health facilities in Africa, to consult an expert ultrasound user regardless of the distance, who can provide perspective and guidance as if they were in the same room. During a 2019 project in collaboration with Imaging the World (ITW) in Uganda, mothers and newborns benefited from the scans. In 30% of the cases, the prenatal scans revealed high-risk conditions that initiated proper treatment and helped avert poor outcomes.

“The importance of Lumify’s high-quality ultrasound images must be emphasized. Without a clear picture, we can’t make correct diagnoses and then treat patients appropriately. This reliability is all the more critical in remote areas where geographic distance is a major factor in life vs. death for pregnant women,” said Dr. Kristen DeStigter, Professor of Radiology and Cofounder of Imaging the World. “Lumify not only delivers in this respect but meets the technical specifications necessary for remote practice in less-resourced areas. Lumify’s portability and ease of use promote improved access that positively impacts the wellbeing of women, children, their families, and their communities.”

“It is an honor to be awarded by IEEE Spectrum for our Philips Lumify mobile ultrasound,” said Bich Le, Senior Vice President, and General Manager Ultrasound at Philips. “Lumify is a clear proof point of Philips’ dedication to expanding access to care by making ultrasound less expensive and easier to use.”