GE HealthCare Acquires Intelligent Ultrasound Group’s Clinical Artificial Intelligence Business
Posted on 19 Jul 2024
GE HealthCare (Chicago, IL, USA) has entered into an agreement to acquire the clinical artificial intelligence (AI) software business of Intelligent Ultrasound Group (Cardiff, UK) for a sum of approximately USD 51 million. Intelligent Ultrasound is renowned for its integrated AI-driven imaging analysis tools, which are designed to enhance the intelligence and efficiency of ultrasound technology. GE HealthCare aims to integrate these solutions throughout its ultrasound product line, thereby enhancing its capabilities with technology that supports improved workflows and user-friendliness for both clinicians and patients.
Intelligent Ultrasound has developed the ScanNav Assist AI technology, which includes SonoLystlive and SonoLyst X/IR, currently integrated into GE HealthCare’s Voluson Expert and Voluson Signature ultrasound systems, and also featured on the Voluson SWIFT. These innovations are crucial for reducing the strain on sonographers as ultrasound examinations become increasingly complex. With 81% of hospitals experiencing shortages of radiology technologists and 90% of sonographers suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to intensive workloads and repetitive motions, the AI-enhanced workflows and protocols can reduce manual tasks, enhance consistency among users, and allow healthcare providers to concentrate more on patient care.
The acquisition of Intelligent Ultrasound’s clinical AI software business not only extends GE HealthCare's existing capabilities but also incorporates an AI innovation pipeline that will support the future development and achievement of long-term efficiencies. The research and development team from Intelligent Ultrasound will contribute to furthering AI-driven image recognition and innovation within GE HealthCare’s Women’s Health ultrasound offerings and across its broader product portfolio. This move strengthens GE HealthCare’s portfolio of AI-driven devices, which already leads in FDA authorizations among medical technology companies, and aligns with the company’s strategy of precision care aimed at reducing clinical workflow inefficiencies and enhancing the quality of patient care across the healthcare continuum. This acquisition follows on the heels of GE HealthCare’s 2023 acquisition of Caption Health, which expanded its capabilities in AI-enabled image guidance and AI development expertise, further supporting early disease detection. Following the sale of its clinical AI business, Intelligent Ultrasound will continue to focus on its advanced, high-fidelity ultrasound simulation technology, which is designed to improve ultrasound training and education.
"We are pleased to bring innovative technology from Intelligent Ultrasound into GE HealthCare’s Ultrasound portfolio, allowing us to fully integrate these solutions into our systems to help clinicians improve workflow, reduce repetitive tasks, and simplify exams,” said Phil Rackliffe, president and CEO of Ultrasound and Image Guided Therapies, GE HealthCare. “This technology and the experts who developed it will help enhance our portfolio of AI-enabled devices and accelerate our pace of development of next-generation AI tools.”
“I really believe that we are at the start of a wave of AI making a profound difference to medical imaging, and especially ultrasound,” added Nick Sleep, Chief Operating Officer, Intelligent Ultrasound, who will join GE HealthCare. “Becoming part of the GE HealthCare family will help speed the adoption of this technology and make ultrasound even easier for customers to use.”
