Tiny Ultrasound Device Developed for First Diagnosis in Emergency Situations

A new portable ultrasound device supports medical personnel in these efforts.

The Acuson P10 device, from Siemens Medical Systems (Erlangen, Germany), is a hand-held device intended for complementary initial diagnostic care and triage, particularly in cardiology, emergency care, and obstetrics. It should change the physical exam by providing immediate data to healthcare providers at the earliest possible patient intervention times, such as intensive care units, ambulances, and medical helicopters. The advantages of the new system are its portability, easy handling, as well as its fast and consistent availability to the physician. The device is scarcely larger than a Blackberry and weighs just a little more than 700 g.

In emergency situations, for example, this means earlier, faster, and more accurate screening and triage decisions. Its emergency applications include FAST (Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma) for detecting fluid, determining cardiac activity, and pericardial effusion, as well as for detecting abdominal aortic aneurysms and performing pelvic exams.

"Instead of having to rush the patient to the technology, P10 brings the technology to the patient, which can reduce critical minutes, particularly when a patient is in cardiac distress or with trauma patients, who have multiple injuries,” stated Klaus Hambuechen, head of the Ultrasound Division of Siemens Medical Solutions. "The flexibility and portability of the P10 mark significant changes in the way diagnostic and emergency care are administered, changes that could alter the face of the physical exam, and ultimately, lead to better patient outcomes.”

In addition to cardiac and emergency care, the device provides applications in other medical specialties, especially obstetrics where it can be used during labor and delivery. In particular, the device can determine fetal viability, fetal positioning, amniotic fluid volume, bleeding, and miscarriage. Additional applications include veterinarian medicine.

The system is equipped with a black-and-white monitor and delivers data via a flip-up liquid crystal display (LCD) display that measures 3.7 inches (9.4 cm) diagonally. The user interface is optimized for "thumbing,” using only the thumbs to navigate, similar to a personal digital assistant (PDA). The Acuson P10's lithium ion batteries enable approximately one hour of scanning without recharging.


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