Is Ge Global Research Developing a Portable Solar-Powered Ultrasound Device? Essay Example

transducer", "Ultrasound machine", and "Ultrasound transducer probe" generated a range of 781,590 to 14,909 references. These references encompass various materials related to research and development documents, non-human medical imaging materials, or duplicate counts in different categories for the same imaging technology.

The importance lies in GE's agreement with SonoSite, Inc., where they agreed to pay $21 million upfront and ongoing royalty payments for hand-carried ultrasound systems under ten pounds. This agreement granted GE a perpetual non-transferable worldwide license to the ‘412 patent family. The settlement showcases how crucial it is for GE Healthcare and its ultrasound products' long-term survival.

Given the expensive nature of patent litigation and the presence of numerous competitors (16) and competing ultrasound products (26 including 10 compact ones), it is evident that GE has invested significant time and resources in this legal pursuit. Obtaining control over the vital '412 patent family was imperative for GE despite these patent rights expiring in 2016 so as not to miss out on a crucial opportunity.

Over the past decade, GE has mainly focused on manufacturing expensive imaging equipment like CT scanners and MRI machines. This led them to overlook the smaller ultrasound market and emerging businesses like SonoSite, Inc. However, this can be understood given the significant rise in GE's stock price from less than $10 per share before 1996 to over $60 per share in early 2001. Their priorities were centered around competition, market share, economic factors, and other important considerations. Nevertheless, things took a turn for GE in mid-late 2001 when their stock prices started declining steadily. Currently, it is being traded at around $14-15 per share after recovering from a low of $6.66 per

share six months ago.

The resolution of a patent dispute involving GE Healthcare's portable ultrasound products is crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of these products. This situation raises three key questions: Has GE already developed a portable solar-powered ultrasound device? If not, why haven't they considered developing one? And how does the company plan to utilize its recently received grant and strategize to enhance its competitiveness in the emerging point-of-care ultrasound marketplace?GE is working to make ultrasound imaging technology more affordable and accessible. They are focused on reducing the cost of the ultrasound transducer as part of their new health imagination business strategy. This strategy includes pilot projects in India that aim to increase the use of ultrasound in different areas, particularly rural and local villages near the equator in various countries. More details about these projects can be found at http://www.gereports.om/taking-healthy-imagination-to-community-clinics-in-india/.

One non-profit organization called Imaging The World has implemented pilot programs to provide portable ultrasound imaging in rural areas like Belize and Uganda. The obtained images are then uploaded to the Internet for remote interpretation by healthcare professionals, which greatly improves and facilitates the delivery of healthcare services. GE Healthcare, along with other industry partners, academic institutions, government agencies, and healthcare individuals are actively involved in these activities - http://imagingtheworld.org/. Furthermore, the population residing in the region between 10 degrees to 40 degrees North of the equator (known as the 10/40 Window) from North Africa to China consists of approximately 2 billion people - http://en.

In the 10/40 Window region, there is a need for a portable ultrasound medical device to address healthcare needs. The main challenge lies in finding a power source that is

reliable, affordable, and easily accessible. One potential solution is harnessing solar energy in areas with abundant sunlight to generate enough power for small handheld devices. GE Healthcare is currently working on a low-cost ultrasound transducer, but it would be wise to explore how existing solar-based technology can be incorporated into the portable device. In addition to GE Energy specializing in solar-powered systems, there are also smaller niche companies that should not be disregarded.

e.Advanced Energy Group, Conroe TX) has also created solar-powered systems that could possibly be modified for use with an ultrasound device. http://www. solar4power. com/solar-power-devices. html Additionally, the amount of images necessary to conduct a prenatal ultrasound screening exam in the early to mid stages of pregnancy can be determined by a predetermined protocol that enhances the assessment of specific fetal anatomical structures (i.e.

The text explores the possibility of utilizing a portable ultrasound device, a cellular telephone, and the Internet to generate and transmit images. These images have potential applications in diagnostic examinations of various body areas such as the skull, fetal heart activity, spine, chest, and abdomen. Compared to MRI or CT scan image dataset files, these image files are smaller in size and require less time to upload. The growing number of rural and remote communities using cellular telephones and the use of Google Wave for seamless language translation provide opportunities for interconnectedness and communication with distant regions worldwide. It suggests that advancements in technology and communication networks may result in the development of a solar-powered ultrasound device sooner than anticipated.

The original source of this article, which was first published online on November 9, 2009, can be found at https://councils.gigroup.com/news/Analyses.mvc/Details/44623.