EchoNous: A Year of Breakthroughs in POCUS and AI
2023 has been a landmark year for EchoNous, marked by significant achievements in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and artificial intelligence (AI). We wanted to take a moment, as the year winds down and we prepare for 2024, to reflect on the enormity of the past twelve months.
This year represented a renewed focus on point-of-care ultrasound at EchoNous. We focused time and energy on strengthening our position as a leader in POCUS and specifically AI in POCUS.
As we reflect on 2023, we are proud to see how clinicians are using our technology to influence positive change in myriad settings across the healthcare spectrum.
Technology Milestones and Innovations
Advancing Ultrasound Technology
The year saw the rollout of several transformative product updates and new launches. We increased the capability and accessibility of Kosmos significantly, with major releases on Apple iOS, Android, and the EchoNous Bridge system.
For the first time ever, POCUS users across the clinical spectrum have a wide array of cart-based features by using Kosmos probes with an iPad. With exceptional 2D Imaging, Color Doppler, PW, CW, TDI, and AI features including AI Fast (Abdominal: Auto-Labeling), Trio AI (Cardiac: Auto-Guidance, Auto-Grading, Auto-Labeling), Auto Ejection Fraction in under 20 seconds, Cardiac and Vascular calcs and more, POCUS is about more than just simple yes/no questions. On Android tablets, users gained access to PW on Lexsa, our linear probe, vascular calcs, workflow improvements, and more.
These updates were not merely incremental improvements; they represented a leap forward in enhancing diagnostic capabilities and user experience.
Introducing Kosmos Plus
In October, we introduced Kosmos Plus, a culmination of our dedication to excellence in healthcare technology. Kosmos Plus is the first fully-featured POCUS cart solution to be priced under $20,000. Everything a POCUS user needs to get started is included: cutting-edge AI, advanced Doppler features, multiple transducers, a 12.9-inch iPad® Pro and medical-grade stand.
Launching Kosmos Plus was a major step in our journey towards more accessible, useful, and efficient ultrasound solutions. As many legacy POCUS devices at hospitals and healthcare systems reach end of life, Kosmos Plus is exceptionally well positioned to offer an upgrade over past technology, and significant cost savings that will improve accessibility across the board.
Global Expansion and Accessibility
Kosmos is available in 72 countries today, with plans to continue growing the reach of Kosmos over time. We are launching iOS globally and our footprint in the European Union and Asia is rapidly expanding, both by adding new markets and expanding existing markets on the continents. The expanded reach of Kosmos underscores our mission to make advanced technology accessible to healthcare professionals globally. This expansion isn’t just a business strategy; it’s about bringing state-of-the-art tools to the forefront of global healthcare.
Pioneering Research Using Kosmos AI
Kosmos devices equipped with AI in the field are being used in a variety of research settings. Several important studies were published in 2023, specifically around AI in POCUS. Key papers are highlighted below:
Stanford Clinical Associate Professor and Hospitalist Dr. Andre Kumar’s team at Stanford University designed a study, published in CHEST Pulmonary in September 2023, to see if AI-enhanced POCUS devices equipped with deep learning (Kosmos devices equipped with TRIO AI) help novice POCUS users acquire and interpret cardiac images. The AI group using Kosmos had faster scan times, higher image quality scores, and correctly identified reduced systolic function more often than the non-AI group in the study. The findings indicate that AI-assisted POCUS helps new users become more proficient more quickly.
Dr. Benjamin Hibbert, Interventional Cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, led research published in Nature – Digital Medicine in October 2023 to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of POCUS with AI-assisted left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The team used Kosmos devices equipped with Auto EF, an AI package that guides users through an EF acquisition workflow and automatically calculates the ejection fraction in seconds. The researchers found that “AI-assisted LVEF assessments provide highly reproducible LVEF estimations in comparison to formal TTE. This finding was consistent among senior and novice echocardiographers suggesting applicability in a variety of clinical settings.”
Kosmos AI was used in a study by a team publishing in the European Heart Journal – Cardiovascular Imaging in June 2023 looking at the use of AI for the automatic assessment of LVEF by several tiers of oncology staff in chemotherapy patients. Researchers found that “calculation of automated LVEF by oncology staff was feasible using AI enabled HUD in a selected patient population. Detection of impaired LVEF was possible with good accuracy. These findings show clinical potential to improve the quality of care for oncology patients.”
Research published in 2023 by Feiqiong Huang, MD, PhD, of the National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine found that “with 2-weeks of training, novice laypeople can accurately acquire 2-dimensional echocardiography images to screen for heart failure.” The PANES study as it has become known points to the ability of AI-assisted POCUS to democratize echocardiography and make a real impact towards addressing the global shortage of trainer sonographers.
Driving Medical Research Forward
Our involvement in groundbreaking research and collaborations, including the PANES study and contributions from experts like Dr. Kumar and Dr. Hibbert, highlight our dedication to advancing the field of POCUS. Publications such as the EHJ Oncology Piece reflect our commitment to evidence-based innovations.
Events, Networking, and Strategic Partnerships
Our team throughout the globe participated in over 75 events this year, including over 30 trade shows and 40 workshops. We’re incredibly grateful to the hard work and dedication of our field, clinical, and event team members who made each and every event a success. We have very intentionally fostered an environment for knowledge exchange and collaboration within and across various medical specialties. Our partnerships with entities like the ACP Mentorship Program and 19Labs, and have opened new pathways for innovation and development.
Reflecting on Our Journey
Looking back at 2023, EchoNous has not only solidified its role as a leader in POCUS and AI but also set new benchmarks in healthcare technology. Our focus remains on empowering healthcare professionals with advanced, intuitive, and accessible tools.
2023 for EchoNous has been a narrative of breakthroughs, expansion, and a steadfast commitment to enhancing patient care through innovative technology. As we continue on this path, we are excited about the future and the potential to redefine healthcare through the power of POCUS and AI.
