Philips’ Industry First Integrated, Diagnostic Quality Tele-Ultrasound Technology Allows Clinicians to Collaborate in Real-Time

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 14 Mar 2022

Image: Clinicians collaborating over virtual chat (Photo courtesy of Royal Philips)

Ultrasound imaging is one of the most accessible and low-cost imaging modalities. However, capturing and interpreting the acquired images and making an accurate diagnosis requires a great deal of expertise and skill. While ultrasound equipment is readily available both in hospitals and healthcare settings, widespread staffing shortages can impede access to care. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the risk to clinicians in contact with infectious patients, and the resulting backlog of postponed exams is now increasing workloads and driving the need for greater efficiency. Now, an industry first integrated, diagnostic quality tele-ultrasound technology lets clinicians talk, text, screen share, and transfer control to remote colleagues in real time.

Royal Philips’ (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) Collaboration Live has received expansion of its U.S. Food & Drug Administration 510(k) market clearance for remote diagnostic use on additional mobile platforms. Available on Philips Ultrasound Systems EPIQ and Affiniti, Collaboration Live allows clinicians to collaborate in real-time with colleagues in order to complete image acquisition and diagnosis regardless of location. With its expanded clearance for diagnostic use on additional platforms, clinicians now have the ability to consult or diagnose from their mobile device, check the strength of their bandwidth before making a call, and check their remote screen calibration to ensure image quality is appropriate for diagnosis. This can enable greater efficiency and flexibility for clinicians since they are no longer limited to a PC for remote collaboration.

Philips Collaboration Live lets users quickly and securely talk, text, screen-share, and video-stream directly from a Philips Ultrasound System EPIQ or Affiniti to a compatible remote PC or mobile device. In addition to allowing remote clinicians to view real-time diagnostic ultrasound images and communicate with the local clinician and patient to provide guidance and ask questions, the ultrasound user can give remote control of the ultrasound system to the remote user, enabling them to enhance image quality, capture a new image or make a measurement. These combined features as well as the ability to check the calibration of the remote viewing screen provide the high diagnostic confidence needed to help optimize patient outcomes.

Collaboration Live can help hospitals standardize care across locations and support remote staff via protocol training, remote support during ultrasound examinations, and real-time communication between clinicians and patients, helping to ensure the same high standard of care wherever it is delivered. Collaboration Live is applicable in any area of medicine - such as breast imaging and hepatology, where ultrasound can provide important diagnostic information - including maternal fetal medicine when dealing with the potential of high-risk pregnancies, as well as cardiac imaging.

“We are committed to helping our customers deliver better access to care for their patients regardless of their location at any time. Collaboration Live is a perfect example of how Philips is delivering an expanded experience for patients and healthcare professionals through telemedicine,” said Gerois Di Marco, General Manager Global Ultrasound Services & Solutions at Philips. “Sonographers no longer have to feel they are alone or limited to only acquiring ultrasound images and preparing a report for subsequent clinical review. They can now call on the expertise of colleagues during ultrasound examinations to deliver on-the-spot accurate diagnosis that every patient deserves.”

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Royal Philips