Israeli startup PulseNmore announces the launch of its flagship handheld tele-ultrasound device that enables pregnant women to perform at-home ultrasound scans, and receive feedback from a physician or sonographer, limiting the need for hospital and physician visits during COVID-19 and beyond.
Clalit Health Services, Israel’s largest HMO and the one of the largest public HMOs in the world with 4.6 million insured members, is the first healthcare provider to purchase the device, signing a multi-year agreement to provide tens of thousands of its pregnant members with PulseNmore’s product.
“At home tele-ultrasound scanning is a major leap forward in digital medicine and prenatal health,” says Elazar Sonnenschein, PhD,founder and CEO of PulseNmore. “We have successfully miniaturized the traditional ultrasound system to create a solution that is both affordable and accessible for expectant families.
According to Clalit, pregnant women pay “false” visits to the emergency room more than twice on average with concerns about their baby’s well-being. Our solution provides vital information to healthcare providers to determine if a baby is healthy, helping expectant mothers have peace of mind at home and avoid unnecessary visits to the ER.”
The PulseNmore device docks with a smartphone and utilizes advanced navigation and AI tools as well as an app to guide users through the scanning process, displaying and sharing high quality images with their healthcare professional. Physicians or sonographers review the scans remotely off-line or in real-time using telemedicine platforms and can reassure parents that all is well, or instruct them on appropriate next steps, if necessary.
The device provides quick and convenient peace of mind and can potentially reduce unnecessary visits to the emergency room. In addition, the technology can be used by healthcare providers to reduce the number of prenatal office visits, which is especially useful during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“Over the next year we aim to bring our technology to additional healthcare providers and countless families across the world. We are proud to pave the way for a future in which pregnant women can self-administer ultrasound scans from the comfort of home,” adds Sonnenschein.