GE HealthCare's $35M federal partnership to fund AI-powered ultrasound research
GE HealthCare has secured tens of millions of dollars in new funding to fuel the expansion of artificial intelligence-powered ultrasound solutions for trauma and mass casualty events.
The health technology giant announced the expansion of its previous 2023 contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which is part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The expansion is structured so that costs are shared between the two, though BARDA will be providing the majority of funding.
Funds will be put toward the development of new AI-powered point-of-care tools that reduce the reliance on operator experience, improve reproducibility and increase diagnostic speed—factors that are critical in trauma and mass casualty events. GE has signaled that there will be an emphasis on identifying lung and abdominal pathologies.
The partnership also will seek to increase collaboration with additional clinicians and evaluation sites. The hope is that by engaging with more providers and healthcare organizations, newly developed technology can be tested and validated in clinical settings, garnering real-world feedback.
“Responding to a mass casualty incident demands speed, precision and access to care, especially in high-pressure environments like emergency departments, field hospitals, and medical transport,” said Philip Rackliffe, president and CEO of Advanced Visualization Solutions at GE HealthCare. “Our strategic alignment with BARDA enables us to continue to drive ultrasound innovation through advanced AI tools and specialized hardware designed for the frontlines of care.”
“GE HealthCare has long been at the forefront of ultrasound innovation in emergency medicine, especially at the point of care,” added Karley Yoder, GE HealthCare’s CEO of Comprehensive Care Ultrasound, Advanced Visualization Solutions. “This milestone reflects our shared aspiration to equip clinicians with tools that enhance decision-making and help improve patient outcomes in even the most challenging scenarios.”
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In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.