Read the text below.
A surgeon learned about his cancer after scanning his throat using an iPhone-connected ultrasound machine.
After experiencing throat discomfort, Dr. John Martin examined his condition by conducting a trial on a portable ultrasound device called Butterfly iQ. Examination results showed evidence of squamous /ˈskweɪ məs / cell cancer, a type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body.
Developed by startup medical device manufacturer Butterfly Network, Butterfly iQ is reported to be the first compact ultrasound device introduced to the American market. The device can be used by plugging it into an iPhone and running it along a certain body part. The breakthrough technology then instantly produces ultrasound images that can be viewed on the iPhone’s screen.
According to Butterfly Network founder Jonathan Rothberg, he wanted to develop a kind of technology that would speed up medical diagnosis. The company is also setting its sights on a software that can aid new users in positioning the device, gathering precise images, and interpreting them.
The product will be sold early next year for $1,999 – the cheapest price for portable ultrasounds in the market. Once the device rolls out, it will compete with other portable devices like Philips’ Lumify and General Electric’s Vscan products, which both sell for over $5,000. Unlike these competitors, which employ old crystal technology, Butterfly iQ will use a silicon chip. This makes the product more affordable and versatile.
Rothberg and Dr. Martin hope that the device can help patients with diabetes and lung problems, as well as other high-risk patients who could benefit from immediate ultrasound results.