Intelligent Ultrasound launches ScanNav PNB trainer in the UK

Ultrasound artificial intelligence (AI) software and simulation company Intelligent Ultrasound announced the UK launch of the ‘ScanNav Anatomy: Peripheral Nerve Block (PNB)’ trainer on Wednesday.

The AIM-traded firm described the ScanNav PNB trainer as a real-time training system, which uses AI technology to automatically highlight the key structures on the live ultrasound image to aid in the teaching of peripheral nerve blocks.

Peripheral nerve blocks are an effective form of regional anaesthetic, but require a high level of skill to recognise the ultrasonic appearance of anatomically relevant structures.

The company said the ScanNav PNB trainer was designed to teach less experienced clinicians in performing the key nerve blocks.

It said it was compatible with the majority of ultrasound machines in anaesthesiology, and came equipped with a complete range of block-specific training videos, using 3D animation to show the relationship between probe position and sonoanatomy.

“The AI-based software helps both trainees and their trainers by automatically highlighting the key anatomical structures needed to locate the correct block site,” said chief technology officer Nicholas Sleep.

“This makes it much easier to teach a block and also allows trainees to practice in a non-clinical environment without time pressure.

“The system is the first product in the group's simulation range to benefit from our clinical AI research and development programme.”

At 1125 GMT, shares in Intelligent Ultrasound were down 1.03% at 14.45p.