GE HealthCare last week said it would acquire Bright Ultrasound Group’s clinical AI business. The purchase price for the software is about $51 million, the companies said.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT
Bright Ultrasound is developing AI-enabled imaging analytics tools that integrate with ultrasound to enable more competent diagnostics. GE says it will incorporate these technologies into its portfolio of ultrasound tools – streamlining workflows and increasing ease of exploit for clinicians.
For example, Bright Ultrasound’s ScanNav Assist AI technology already powers SonoLystlive and SonoLyst X/IR, which are available on GE HealthCare’s Voluson ultrasound devices. By acquiring these tools, GE HealthCare “is adding a pipeline of AI innovations that help drive future growth and long-term efficiencies,” the company says.
GE said it will join Bright Ultrasound’s team of research and development experts who will support the company bring AI-powered image recognition solutions and innovations to GE HealthCare Women’s Health ultrasound devices and other tools.
The transaction, which GE HealthCare will fund with cash, is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024. Following the sale, Bright Ultrasound says it will continue to operate its business, focusing on its high-fidelity ultrasound simulation technology designed to enhance ultrasound education.
BIGGER TREND
This modern acquisition agreement, which follows GE HealthCare’s purchase of Caption Health in 2023, further expands GE HealthCare’s AI-enabled device offering, which the company notes is at the top of the FDA’s AI-enabled device authorization list among medical technology companies.
GE points out that such technologies are “essential to reducing the workload of sonographers,” noting that more than 80% of hospitals report shortages of radiology technicians — and 90% of sonographers report work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to workload and repetitive motions, among other things.
The goal is that more streamlined and automated imaging workflows can reduce manual processes and offer “greater repeatability across users and enable clinicians to focus more on patient care.”
IN THE DOCUMENT
“I truly believe we are at the beginning of a wave of AI that is making a significant difference in medical imaging, and especially in ultrasound,” said Nick Sleep, COO of Bright Ultrasound, who will join GE HealthCare. “Joining GE HealthCare will help accelerate adoption of this technology and make ultrasound even easier for customers to use.”
The addition of Bright Ultrasound software to GE’s ultrasound portfolio “will help clinicians streamline workflows, reduce repetitive tasks and simplify exams,” added Phil Rackliffe, president and CEO of GE HealthCare’s Ultrasound and Image Guided Therapies. “This technology and the experts who developed it will help us enhance our portfolio of AI-enabled devices and accelerate the pace of development of next-generation AI tools.”