Tablet-compatible ultrasound probe

Problem & Solution:

Current ultrasound diagnostic technology is complicated to use, expensive, and difficult to transport. With recent advances in user-friendly mobile technology (tablets, smartphones), there is substantial humanitarian and financial promise in development of small USB-linked ultrasound diagnostic probes and software (in app form) for use with iPads or other readily mobile tablet computers. Such a mobile diagnostic system would be highly useful in disaster and emergency response efforts, military field applications, third world clinics (i.e. Doctors Without Borders), or any scenario in which traditional hospital imaging technology is unavailable. Such a system would also decrease the cost of ultrasound diagnostics, and the mobile communication capabilities of tablet computers and smartphones would inherently provide an excellent framework by which to send medical images to consulting doctors or hospitals.

Benefits to Customer:

Development of iPad-compatible ultrasound probes and relevant corresponding tablet software would have numerous benefits for both doctors and patients. The main benefit would be increased patient access to potentially life-saving medical diagnostics in situations where traditional equipment, typically large and overly expensive, is inaccessible. A gain in procedural convenience is another potential benefit. Given that iPads and other tablets are extremely intuitive to use and that they are already becoming popular as information recording tools in medical environments, tablet-based ultrasound diagnostics could potentially be carried out by physicians without need for the extra personnel (imaging technicians, etc.) typically required by traditional ultrasound equipment. Reduced cost-of-service is another potential benefit. The average hospital-grade ultrasound system costs in excess of $30,000 per unit. A typical tablet computer, on the other hand, costs approximately $500. Assuming that a tablet-compatible ultrasound probe and app-based software can be built and distributed at a reasonable price, the cost of basic ultrasound diagnostics to patients stands to be decreased considerably.

Target Market:

The potential target market for tablet-compatible ultrasound probes and imaging software is very large. Over 80 million ultrasound scans are conducted each year in the United States alone, and millions more necessary scans go uncompleted in third world countries or emergency scenarios in which mobile ultrasound diagnostics are unavailable. Providing a lower cost diagnostic solution as a simple hardware/software package compatible with widely available, non-specialized tablet technology would be attractive several areas that inherently require mobile medical solutions. Potential customers include disaster and emergency response teams (American Red Cross, etc.), military medical personnel, and third world aid organizations (i.e. Doctors Without Borders, United Nations, USAID).

Competition & Venture Differentiation:

Competition to the proposed tablet-compatible ultrasound system would likely come from established manufacturers of portable (but highly specialized and expensive) ultrasound diagnostic systems such as GE, Siemens, and Sonosite. The tablet-compatible system suggested would differentiate itself from these competitors via (a) its ease of use, (b) its lower cost, (c) its slimmer and more portable profile, and (d) its compatibility with commonly available commercial tablet technology.

Financial Projection:

Assuming 80 million ultrasound scans per year within the United States, and another 40 million scans needed annually in global medical aid efforts, growth of 1% market share within the medical community (health care groups, aid organizations, etc.) would yield 1.2 million scans at the end of the first year. Assuming 700 scans annually per unit (estimated national average), there would be a marginal market for approximately 1714 units per year. If the software/hardware diagnostic solution suggested above is sold for $5,000 (substantially less than current portable ultrasound offerings of $15,000 - $18,000), revenues at the conclusion of the first year will be in excess of $8.5 million.