by
Brendon Nafziger, DOTmed News Associate Editor | November 25, 2012
Bundy described the development of the Acuson Freestyle as a "huge technical challenge" as ultrasound is a real-time modality where the device must process a large amount of data fed from the transducer. The developers also had to make sure the wireless signals transmitted from the device wouldn't interfere with signals coming from all the other wireless systems in the hospital.
"A big part of the approval process was proving that we were not affected by, and did not affect, the ambient environment," Bundy said.
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He said the company developed its own wireless radio that communicates with the probe, and that the system uses a technology called wideband transmission, allowing it to use a higher frequency that's not influenced by the lower radiofrequency transmission of most other wireless hospital equipment. The Acuson Freestyle also has Bluetooth wireless control, so operators can interact with some of the user interface features remotely. "You can change gain, you can turn color on and off on the system, you can control that without having to reach for or touch a button on an ultrasound system," Bundy said. "That's another advantage from a sterile standpoint."
With a direct line of sight, the probe can operate 3 meters (9 feet, 10 inches) away from the main system, which means the user can scan a patient standing on the side of the bed opposite the ultrasound unit, Bundy said. The system has a 38-centimeter LED display, he said.
Coming soon
Currently, the system is installed at 15 clinical sites, although Siemens said it did not have permission to name them yet. The company expects the product to be commercially available by the middle of next year. Although it will be shown at RSNA, Bundy said Siemens would not be giving quotes at the show.
Like many OEMs, Siemens has a policy of not commenting on system price, but Bundy said it would likely be a "mid-range" unit. "We need to be competitive in the range of other hand-carried units in this kind of interventional environment," he said.
Siemens also wouldn't yet say if it plans to bring wireless tech to other units in its ultrasound portfolio. "I expect to be asked (that) dozens of times at RSNA," Bundy said. "You can bet behind the scenes we're thinking 'where do we bring this next'."
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