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    HomeIn MediaHealth GadgetsButterfly iQ+ - Portable Handheld & App-enabled Ultrasound Machine

    Butterfly iQ+ – Portable Handheld & App-enabled Ultrasound Machine

    In healthcare, an ultrasound scan is a medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture detailed live images from the inside of your body. More specifically, a medical ultrasound (or medical sonography) is a diagnostic imaging technique that’s used to create an image of internal body structures such as muscles, tendons, joints, blood vessels, and even internal organs. When using this diagnostic imaging method, the main goal is often to find a source of a disease or to exclude pathology (meaning to exclude causes and effects of disease or injury). By using this diagnostic method, healthcare professionals can more easily diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body’s internal organs. Alternatively, they can also use this method to examine a baby in pregnant women, as well as to examine the brain and hips in infants. Now, while medical ultrasounds can greatly help healthcare professionals to investigate and determine what’s causing specific symptoms, ultrasounds can often only be done in your practitioner’s office or at your local hospital. Nevertheless, the Butterfly iQ+ can change how accessible ultrasounds are by making this diagnostic imaging technique available to everyone via a simple and easy to use portable ultrasound device.

    The Butterfly iQ+ is a compact portable handheld and App-enabled ultrasound machine that can easily fit inside your pocket and that’s reasonably easy to use, working both both iPhone and Android.

    In fact, this device is the world’s only single-probe ultrasound device to exist to date, working as a whole-body handheld ultrasound device that’s solely powered by a built-in battery and its specializied Ultrasound-on-Chip technology. With it, healthcare professionals can experience a groundbreaking ultrasound solution that aims to completely change and modernize the way they perform ultrasound diagnostics.

    While a standard ultrasound machine tends to take up a lot of space, as it is usually composed by the combination of a built-in touch screen monitor with a console that integrates a keyboard, a wide array of knobs and a trackball which respectively work as its imagining unit and its basic controls-unit, the Butterfly iQ+ is a compact and portable ultrasound device that’s completely App-enabled, thus eliminating the need for such bulky equipment.

    Thanks to the way this device was designed, the Butterfly iQ+ can easily transform complex ultrasound diagnostic processes into one connected POCUS System (Point-of-Care Ultrasound System) to help healthcare professionals worldwide to offer better and more efficient healthcare.

    By integrating the Butterfly iQ+ into their workplace, healthcare professionals can remove system barriers and overcome the limitations related to the low number of standard ultrasound machine that are present in healthcare facilities, while also improving the efficiency on their medical ultrasound diagnostics and ultimately transform patient care.

    Now, without any further ado, let’s dive deeper into this portable handheld and app-enabled ultrasound machine and check out exactly how the Butterfly iQ+ works and see everything that it has to offer to healthcare professionals worldwide.

    DESIGN & SPECS

    Starting with the unit’s exact size, since the Butterfly iQ+ was designed as a portable handheld ultrasound machine, the whole unit comes at a very compact size, measuring just 7.28 inches long by 2.20 inches wide 1.37 inches tall / thick (18.5 x 5.6 x 3.5 cm). Not only that, but the device is also quite lightweight, weighing a measly 11.04 oz. (313 g).

    Butterfly iQ+
    Butterfly iQ+

    As mentioned earlier, this portable ultrasound machine is designed to work as one connected POCUS System (Point-of-Care Ultrasound System), and so, it includes an embedded workflow, an adaptable form factor and improved image clarity for any potential ultrasound diagnostics.

    Thanks to that, healthcare professionals can rely on using this portable ultrasound device for their ultrasound diagnostics and make the whole experience less complex, and that can consequently help healthcare professionals worldwide to offer better and more efficient healthcare.

    Now, as stated before, this portable ultrasound device works solely based on its specialized Ultrasound-on-Chip technology, and since the whole unit only features one single-probe, that means that this ultrasound device doesn’t use any piezoelectric crystals for its Point-of-Care Ultrasound method.

    Basically, the unit’s singular ultrasound probe works as a 3-in-1 Ultrasound Transducer, meaning that it works simultaneously as a Linear Transducer, as a Convex (or Curved) Transducer, and as a Phased Array Transducers, and thanks to that 3-in-1 ultrasound probe design, this ingenious portable ultrasound device can offer healthcare professionals a high-end ultrasound imaging process with just one probe, which comes accompanied by a smooth image acquisition process with good image quality (discussed right ahead).

    To simply put it, the Butterfly’s Ultrasound-on-Chip technology is designed to replace the traditional transducer system with a single silicon chip, meaning that its one singular ultrasound probe can emulate any transducer, whether that’s a linear, curved or phased transducer.

    With that said, he Butterfly iQ+ works as a whole-body handheld ultrasound device that’s solely powered by that same specializied Ultrasound-on-Chip technology, thus allowing healthcare professionals to experience a groundbreaking ultrasound solution that aims to completely revolutionize the way they perform ultrasound diagnostics.

    Lastly, it’s also worth to mention that the unit features an ultra-durable body that was tested beyond industry standards, and so, it features a IP67 Water-Resistance Rating while also proving capable of whistanding accidental drops up to 4-foot high, which also makes this portable ultrasound device more drop-resistant than any piezoelectric crystal transducers.

    IMAGE SPECS & IMAGE QUALITY

    Now, when it comes to the Butterfly iQ+’s as high-end ultrasound imaging process, the combination of its Ultrasound-on-Chip technology with its singular 3-in-1 Ultrasound Transducer is exactly what allows this portable ultrasound device to deliver a smooth image acquisition process with good image quality.

    Overall, the unit’s ultrasound capabilities can work with an Image depth that can vary between 2-30 centimeters and a Temperature Range that can bo between a minimum temperature of 5°C and a maximum temperature of 43°C (meaning the unit won’t be able to scan below 5ºC or above 43°C).

    Nevertheless, thanks to its singular 3-in-1 Ultrasound Transducer’s smart design, healthcare professionals will never have to experience the machine going through any overheating, as its transducer’s temperature is always indicated right at the top of the unit’s proprietary Smartphone Companion App (discussed further ahead) while you’re performing your ultrasound scans with it.

    Overall, you’re typically offered a reasonably good image quality, but once in a while, you might experience a somewhat “grainy” quality when scanning for cardiac windows (still, you can make it slightly better when using manual time gain compensation).

    CONNECTIVITY

    Since the Butterfly iQ+ is designed as a portable and App-enabled ultrasound machine, the unit requires to be directly connected to a Smartphone or tablet via a cable, as well as via its proprietary Smartphone Companion App in order to work. Nevertheless, this portable ultrasound device is designed to work without any rapid battery drainage.

    Butterfly iQ+
    Butterfly iQ+

    Since you require the unit to be directly connected to a Smartphone or tablet (whether that’s an iOS or an Android device), you’re offered both Lightning or USB-C cable options (respectively), meaning that your unit will come with a 1.25 meter connection cable (either a Lightning or a USB-C cable – based on your choice during purchase), and you’ll also get a wireless charging dock included.

    BATTERY & BATTERY LIFE

    Since the Butterfly iQ+ is designed to work as a handheld portable and app-enabled ultrasound machine, the device comes equipped with a Non-Removable Lithium-Ion Battery that can offer healthcare professionals an approximate scan time of 120 minutes (for continuous use) or around 10-12 hours of scan time (for intermittent use of the device).

    Butterfly iQ+
    Butterfly iQ+

    Once its battery is depleted, all you have to do to recharge the unit’s battery back to full power is to carefulyl place it on top of its included wireless charging dock and wait for around 5 hours for its battery to be fully recharged (meaning from 0% to 100% power).

    THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The Butterfly iQ App

    As the Butterfly iQ+ is designed to work as a handheld portable and app-enabled ultrasound machine, the unit requires to be connected to an iOS or Android device (either a Smartphone or tablet) respectively via a Lightning or USB-C Connection Cable (as mentioned earlier).

    After connecting your Butterfly iQ+ device to your Smartphone or tablet, you’re also required to download the device’s proprietary Smartphone App, which is simply called the Butterfly iQ App. The App is available to download for free for both iOS and Android devices.

    Together with the use of its proprietary App, the Butterfly iQ+ can provide healthcare professionals with a whole body ultrasound imaging process that relies on just one probe.

    The App features a very intuitive user experience with its familiar touch interactions (even for unprecedented ease of use), so you’ll quickly learn how to use every single one of its features.

    Furthermore, thanks to the unit’s easy connectivity method, you’re offered a smooth ultrasound image acquisition process, and the App even allows you to choose from 19 clinical presets for specific scan types.

    Thanks to the device’s Smartphone / tablet connectivity, your portable devices (either phone or tablet) can have their touch screen used for rapid image modification for depth, gain, measurements and image storage (this last function will only work if you opt to go for the company’s yearly subscription fee (or its limited one-time lifetime subscription service).

    Via the App, you’re also offered access to the company’s ever-expanding Butterfly Education Platform, which is a constantly evolving POCUS-focused education network that features hundreds of POCUS (Point-of-Care Ultrasound) education video-tutorials, which are all taught / lectured by experts, as well as access to a diverse library of shared POCUS-related images.

    It’s also important to note that at this moment, the App doesn’t provide healthcare professionals with data about Obstetrics Measurements – including measurements such as femur length, head circumference, etc. – which could be potentially viable data that could assist healthcare professionals in calculating an estimated gestational age. With that said, we can only hope that the company further develops the unit to make it able to offer that sort of data as well.

    Keep in mind that your Butterfly iQ+ device must be connected to the Internet at least once every 30 days for regular software updates, or otherwise, the device might self-disable and stop working if this isn’t done regularly, which ultimately, could negatively impact secure usage in a prolonged, remote environment.

    Lastly, remember that while using the App on your Smartphone, you won’t be able to use your phone’s camera-function or any other similar functions on your Apple product when iQ app is being used

    WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

    The Butterfly iQ+ comes neatly packed inside a simple, yet sturdy carboard dual-package unit.

    Within the package users will find: their Butterfly iQ+ portable ultrasound device, the unit’s proprietary wireless charging stand, an included Lightning or a USB-C cable (based on your purchase choices), the unit’s power supply, and four regional charging adaptors (US, EU, UK, AU).

    FINAL THOUGHTS

    The Butterfly iQ+ is a compact portable handheld and App-enabled ultrasound machine that can easily fit inside your pocket and that’s reasonably easy to use, working both both iPhone and Android.

    Thanks to the combination of its specialized Ultrasound-on-Chip technology with its built-in 3-in-1 Ultrasound Transducer, this ingenious portable ultrasound device can convenitely replace the traditional transducer system with a single silicon chip, and thanks to that, it can offer healthcare professionals a high-end ultrasound imaging process with just one probe, thus ultimately bringing all healthcare professionals worldwide a smooth ultrasound image acquisition process with good image quality via a Point-of-Care Ultrasound method.

    Butterfly iQ+
    Butterfly iQ+

    With it, healthcare professionals can experience a groundbreaking ultrasound solution that aims to completely revolutionize and modernize the way they perform any future ultrasound diagnostics.

    If you’re interested in buying it, each device is currently going for $1,999 as your initial device purchase, and each purchase comes together with a 1-Year Warranty included. Not only that, but the company also has a very strong and very reliable customer support, so if you experience any problems with your unit, at worst, you’ll probably be able to have it fixed or replaced within a few days, as the company’s Customer Support Team is very, very hard-working when it comes to satisfying its customer base, as well as quite nice, I might add.

    Still, as mentioned earlier, in order to take advantage of all of the device’s In-App functionalities, you’ll be required to renew your subscription fee (which covers software updates, unlimited storage, tutorial videos and support services), which will cost you $420 annually for one user or $1,200 annually for group rate for up to 10 users.

    Keep in mind that the device will still work without a subscription service, but you won’t be able to upload images for storage. So, with that said, if you decide to not renew your paid Pro membership, you will be automatically switched to Butterfly Basic. Nevertheless, you’ll still be able to scan in all 19 presets, any while you won’t be able to upload any new images, you’ll still have full access to all images in the cloud that you had previously saved to it.

    You can order your Butterfly iQ+ portable ultrasound device right now, directly from the company’s official shopping page, which you can access by clicking this link here.

    Additionally, for those interested, you can also get some additional accessories to make your whole experience even smoother, and those would include a dedicated Carrying Case for the device, which would cost you $99 per carrying case, as well as a dedicated Holster with Belt Clip that would promote better portability of the device, going at $49 each.

    David Novak
    David Novakhttps://www.gadgetgram.com
    For the last 20 years, David Novak has appeared in newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV around the world, reviewing the latest in consumer technology. His byline has appeared in Popular Science, PC Magazine, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Electronic House Magazine, GQ, Men’s Journal, National Geographic, Newsweek, Popular Mechanics, Forbes Technology, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Glamour Magazine, T3 Technology Magazine, Stuff Magazine, Maxim Magazine, Wired Magazine, Laptop Magazine, Indianapolis Monthly, Indiana Business Journal, Better Homes and Garden, CNET, Engadget, InfoWorld, Information Week, Yahoo Technology and Mobile Magazine. He has also made radio appearances on the The Mark Levin Radio Show, The Laura Ingraham Talk Show, Bob & Tom Show, and the Paul Harvey RadioShow. He’s also made TV appearances on The Today Show and The CBS Morning Show. His nationally syndicated newspaper column called the GadgetGUY, appears in over 100 newspapers around the world each week, where Novak enjoys over 3 million in readership. David is also a contributing writer fro Men’s Journal, GQ, Popular Mechanics, T3 Magazine and Electronic House here in the U.S.

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