The innovative device has been described as ‘the stethoscope of the future – a true window into the body’
Abdul Latif Jameel Health and Butterfly Network has announced a strategic distribution partnership to broaden the availability of Butterfly iQ+, single probe, whole-body handheld ultrasound solution.
From underserved communities in the United States, to remote areas of Africa, more than 4.7 billion people around the world lack access to medical imaging. Abdul Latif Jameel Health will introduce the innovative ultrasound product, powered by Butterfly’s Ultrasound-on-ChipTM technology to markets across the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and India.
Fusing semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and cloud technology, Butterfly has the potential to usher in a new era of healthcare with a device that is expected to cost less than US$ 2,400. The product is designed to dramatically expand the capabilities of practitioners working within and outside of hospitals in developed, underdeveloped and remote areas.
Healthcare providers can collect advanced imaging, perform rapid assessments, and guide critical procedures no matter where they are, and share those images seamlessly with doctors across the globe to help with reading and interpreting scans.
Dr Akram Bouchenaki, Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Latif Jameel Health said, “The mission that is so clearly driving the development of Butterfly Network and the innovation on display is entirely aligned with our vision at Abdul Latif Jameel Health, of how to improve access to healthcare for those who need it most and drive inclusive health care through innovation. The capabilities of this innovative, portable and versatile handheld ultrasound solution know no bounds and we are committed to delivering this technology to serve more than 2 billion people. It is our mission to collaborate with sector disruptors, those who question how healthcare services have always been delivered, and how the billions of people in underserved communities can be better served.”
Butterfly recently announced that its iQ+ device is even being delivered beyond Earth, providing medical imaging on the International Space Station, as part of the 22nd SpaceX Dragon cargo resupply payload in June 2021. Once delivered, astronauts will provide feedback on the ease of using the device, the quality of the produced ultrasound images, and the efficiency of image acquisition.
Dr Todd Fruchterman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Butterfly Network said, “Our partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Health is about more than democratizing medical imaging and making it more accessible; it is about empowering all healthcare practitioners with an invaluable, advanced assessment tool. The power of the Butterfly solution transcends the limits of traditional ultrasound by delivering valuable information to improve clinical decision-making and the care that is delivered. We are excited to work with an aligned partner, like Abdul Latif Jameel Health, to not only get Butterfly in the hands of more clinicians worldwide to improve global health equity, but to level the playing field for all by empowering practitioners to be better clinicians, wherever they may be.”