A futuristic vision of pocket ultrasound machines: watch this space

Abstract

Introduction: Australian medical ultrasound started in 1959 with the establishment of the Ultrasonics Institute. Since then the technology has advanced tremendously. We are now not only able to obtain clearer images on high specification ultrasound machines but also on pocket‐sized ultrasound machines that are compact, lightweight and affordable. Method: The following descriptive review will examine the indication for use of pocket ultrasound machines in different clinical settings as well as provide evidence of its image clarity and accuracy. Potentially eligible studies were sought primarily through searches of the electronic databases PubMed, Medline (1996–Present), Embase (1996–Present) and Cochrane Library. Conclusion: Pocket ultrasound machines, with appropriate ultrasound knowledge and training, can be incorporated successfully in patient management. The addition of point‐of‐care ultrasound has been shown to improve management recommendations and outcomes.

Comparison of ultrasound guidance with palpation and direct visualisation for peripheral vein cannulation in adult patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The physical limitations of ultrasound in the nearfield, however, 38,39 Point-of-care ultrasound as performed with a pocketsize device, with appropriate knowledge and training, can be incorporated successfully in patient management, which has been shown to improve management recommendations and outcomes. 40 Based on this, it seems obvious that the first attempt success rate upon peripheral i.v. cannulation is higher in more recently published studies, because of technical innovations and developments of ultrasound machines.…”

Transperineal use of a pocket‐sized ultrasound machine vs conventional transvaginal ultrasound: a blinded comparison of cervical length in pregnancy

“…Pocket-sized ultrasound machines (PUM) have attracted interest recently due to their portability and affordability. They can provide a simple ultrasound service at the bedside, especially in remote locations or low-resourced communities 5 . Currently, however, a TVS probe is not provided with PUM units.…”

“…They can provide a simple ultrasound service at the bedside, in remote locations or low-resourced communities 5 . If proven to be feasible and comparable to HSUM TV measurements, the PUM method may enable CL measurement by an appropriately trained clinician at point of care.…”

Accuracy of ultrasonographic fatty liver index using point-of-care ultrasound in stratifying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

“…While there are no current recommendations for screening for this disease, those at risk are recommended for screening [5]; however, screening and evaluating people who are at risk of PD is not easy. With improvements in technology, ultrasound devices are becoming smaller in size, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is becoming increasingly accessible and affordable [10,11]. Training to perform an ultrasound at the bedside and to interpret the findings is actively being added to the curriculum of medical students by many medical schools, and the use of POCUS is becoming a physician's way of practice [12].…”