Meet Clarius, Pocket-Sized Wireless Scanner

Clarius Mobile Health hopes to launch its new wireless ultrasound scanner by late 2016, assuming it receives the FDA’s 510(k) clearance and complies with Health Canada, CE, and other regional regulations. MedicalExpo e-mag asked Dave Willis, Clarius Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, to describe the innovative aspects of the new device.

ME e-mag: What sets the Clarius ultrasound scanner apart from other scanners?

Dave Willis: Several features make it stand out in the market. For example, its stellar imaging quality. As far as we know, this is the only wireless scanner that fits in a large pocket. It weighs less than one pound. Therefore, instead of dragging a cumbersome ultrasound cart around, it’s possible to perform a scan anywhere, and without messing with wires.

It also has a rugged magnesium shell that makes the device drop-resistant and fully submersible. We see this as especially valuable in resource-poor domains, such as global public health or emergency medical services. Although the price point is not precise at this time, it will be priced so that several Clarius scanners could be purchased for the price of one traditional cart-based system.

ME e-mag: Where do you see such a portable, wireless device being most useful?

Dave Willis: Ideally, we see this as extremely valuable when you want to take a quick look at a patient. We see it as important for guiding anesthesia nerve blocks, anything musculoskeletal, line placements and emergency care. Also, anywhere that access to computed tomography or MRI is limited, it adds diagnostic information. It gives you a good quick look and works well for telemedicine applications.