Intelligent Ultrasound unveils portable 'NeedleTrainer Plus'

The AIM-traded firm said the system, encased in a durable pelicase, comes equipped with a GE HealthCare Vscan handheld ultrasound device, offering flexibility and accessibility in training scenarios.

It said the NeedleTrainer employs a retractable needle and virtual image overlays to replicate needling procedures on live volunteers, facilitated by real-time ultrasound scans.

The setup would enable trainees to hone their hand-eye coordination, positioning, and precision in ultrasound-guided interventional techniques within a lifelike clinical environment, minimising inherent risks associated with practical training.

This release supplemented Intelligent Ultrasound's expanding portfolio, including the ‘ScanNav Anatomy Peripheral Nerve Block’, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tool aiding healthcare professionals in identifying and annotating anatomy within live ultrasound images.

Particularly tailored for ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia and analgesia, the technology automatically highlights pertinent anatomy related to common peripheral nerve blocks.

Intelligent Ultrasound explained that ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block injections had gained traction for postoperative and trauma-related pain management.

Recent findings published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia revealed a 40.4% relative increase in the use of peripheral nerve blocks in trauma cases with the availability of ScanNav Anatomy PNB, indicating enhanced clinical practice without compromising quality of care.

“We hope this new version of NeedleTrainer will support clinicians in more remote areas and help to open up additional markets for our simulators and AI software in the US, UK and through our resellers around the world as we continue to grow our classroom-to-clinic business,” said chief executive officer Stuart Gall.

At 1152 GMT, shares in Intelligent Ultrasound Group were up 2.86% at 9p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.