# Portable Ultrasounds The USB Smartphone Probe is a Handy Piece of Medical Machinery By Michael Plishka | Published 2010-10-05 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultrasound-probe-usb-smartphone References: [research.microsoft](http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/focus/health/msr_ultrasound.pdf) & [ultrasound.engineering.wustl.edu](http://ultrasound.engineering.wustl.edu/index.php/Cell_Phone_SDK) William Richard, Ph.D. of [Washington University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antifake-ai) is well on the way to providing the USB Smartphone Probe, allowing for an easy ultrasound on-the-go. Richard has shrunk down the electronics of a cabinet-sized device and placed it inside a USB ultrasound probe, while leveraging the computing power of a Smartphone. The result is compact, cost-effective ultrasound that can not only be used for prenatal scanning, but also for scanning of arteries to look for obstructions, [veterinary use](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/veterinary-ultrasound-system) and tissue analysis. **Implications** - While USB ultrasound probes are available commercially over the counter, the newest modification makes the advanced medical technology work with a smartphone so patients have one less thing to remember. The research grants awarded by [Microsoft Research](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microsoft-surface-duo-workshop-concept) has allowed for further field studies and trials with DMD patients at WU med school. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 73% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **USB Ultrasound Probes:** The development of USB ultrasound probes opens up opportunities for portable ultrasound devices that can be easily connected to smartphones. - **Mobile Medical Devices:** The integration of medical technology with smartphones enables the development of compact and cost-effective ultrasound devices that can be used on-the-go. - **Smartphone-enabled Healthcare:** The use of smartphones as a platform for medical devices like ultrasound probes allows for convenient healthcare solutions accessible to a wider population. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Medical Device Manufacturing:** The advancement of portable ultrasound technology presents disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the medical device manufacturing industry to create compact and cost-effective ultrasound devices. - **Telemedicine:** The integration of USB ultrasound probes with smartphones opens up disruptive innovation opportunities for telemedicine industry to provide remote ultrasound services. - **Digital Health Technology:** The convergence of medical technology and smartphones creates disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the digital health technology industry to develop smartphone-enabled healthcare solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mobile Healthcare Exam Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handheld-medical-device.md) - [Wearable Ultrasound Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-ultrasound.md) - [Accessible Ultrasound Imaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultrasound-imaging1.md) - [Miniature Blood Pressure Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miniature-blood-pressure-monitors.md) - [Low-Cost Portable MRI Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-mri-machine.md) - [Advanced Heart-Tracking Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultrasound-patch.md) - [Transformational Cell Phone Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cell-phone-tools.md) - [Pet-Friendly Portable Ultrasound Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-ultrasound-system.md) - [Contactless Smartphone Thermometers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tempbuddy-smartphone-thermometer.md)