PoCUS: Orthopedics' New Diagnostic Tool for Faster and More Accurate Diagnoses

The number of incidences of orthopedic diseases and bone injuries has been constantly on an upsurge, creating a growing demand for timely and accurate diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of orthopedic conditions.

This has further led to the development of sophisticated handheld ultrasound devices that provide high-quality imaging and facilitate quick decision-making at the point of care.

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) system is one such technology that has rapidly gained popularity in the field of orthopedics as a new diagnostic tool.

PoCUS is a portable, easy-to-use ultrasound device providing effective treatment and management plans for patients that can be used at the bedside to rapidly diagnose various conditions such as tendon ruptures, ligament injuries, necrosis, and tumors.

As a result, PoCUS has gained increasing popularity among healthcare providers looking for faster and more accurate diagnostic options.

In this article, we will explore the advantages of PoCUS and its impact on orthopedic care.

What is Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS)?

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) is a non-invasive, real-time imaging modality that allows for quick diagnosis and treatment decisions at the point of care without the need for more costly or time-consuming imaging studies such as X-Rays or MRI scans.

PoCUS is widely used in various clinical settings and specialties, including emergency medicine, cardiology, critical care, and now orthopedics.

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) in orthopedics refers to the use of portable ultrasound machines by orthopedic surgeons or other healthcare professionals at the bedside for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Moreover, PoCUS can also be used to guide needle placements for joint aspirations or injections and to monitor the progress of specific orthopedic procedures.

Advantages of POCUS in Orthopedics

PoCUS is an emerging imaging modality that has proven to be a valuable tool in the evaluation and management of acute and critical conditions in several medical specialties, including orthopedics.

The success of PoCUS in orthopedics is due to several benefits that it offers over traditional imaging modalities, such as X-Rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Some of the benefits are listed as follows.

·      PoCUS is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that does not require radiation exposure, making it safe for, both, patients and healthcare providers. 

·      PoCUS can be performed quickly and easily at the patient's bedside, eliminating the need for the patient to travel to a diagnostic center or wait for a radiologist to perform an ultrasound, thereby making it a convenient and accessible diagnostic tool. It saves considerable time, reduces patient discomfort, and improves patient satisfaction. 

·      PoCUS is also an effective tool for monitoring musculoskeletal surgeries and detecting postoperative complications such as hematomas, abscesses, and wound dehiscence, which offers prompt intervention and improved patient outcomes. 

·      PoCUS devices are designed to be user-friendly, with integrated artificial intelligence (AI) in intuitive interfaces that require minimal training.  

·      PoCUS devices are battery-operated, eliminating the need for electrical outlets and cords, which makes them suitable for remote locations or emergency situations. 

·      PoCUS devices are more affordable than traditional ultrasound machines and they require minimal maintenance, making them an attractive option for smaller clinics.

As PoCUS technology continues to evolve and improve over time, it is likely to become an increasingly important imaging modality for the detection of orthopedic diseases and can be utilized in other medical specialties such as gynecology and cardiology.

With access to its advanced healthcare infrastructure and developed technologies, POCUS technology has already gained a foothold in the U.S., where it is increasingly being used in orthopedics for the diagnosis of a range of musculoskeletal disorders.

According to BIS Research, the U.S. orthopedic imaging modalities market was valued at $2.6 billion in 2022, which is expected to reach $3.9 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.44% during the forecast period 2022-2031.

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New Breakthrough in PoCUS with a Wireless Handheld Device

Mindray Medical, a Chinese medical instrumentation manufacturing company, announced the release of its first wireless handheld ultrasound system, the TE Air, on 6th February 2023.

This breakthrough technology has been designed to meet the demand for a higher-quality portable ultrasound device that is easy to use in various medical environments while delivering crisp point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) imaging.

The TE Air is powered by Mindray's eWave platform and 2nd generation Single Crystal technology, delivering high-quality images with low power consumption for ultimate performance.

The device also comes with dedicated exam presets and comprehensive imaging modes, allowing clinicians to conduct ultrasound examinations more efficiently and offer more accurate decision-making assistance.

TE Air has a wire-free design and compact size, making it easily portable and suitable for unexpected mobile clinical scenarios.

The TE Air comes with a distinctive air capsule that serves two purposes, i.e., it acts as a protective case for the device and also functions as a portable wireless charger, allowing the device to operate throughout the day with just a fast-charging time of 35 minutes.

The TE Air app is available for both Android and iOS, which allows one-handed operation in any location, balancing simplicity and efficiency.

Furthermore, the data collected can be saved and shared to meet the needs of teaching, training, consultation, and case sharing.

TE Air transforms the usage of ultrasound by converting a complex ultrasound system into a compact device that can still fulfill advanced clinical needs.

The TE Air device can aid surgeons by creating 3D images of the surgical site, enabling them to accurately plan the procedure and precisely navigate their instruments during surgery which results in a more accurate and effective surgical outcome with reduced risks of complications and shorter recovery times for patients.

TE Air is a game-changer for healthcare professionals, empowering them to overcome the challenges brought by unexpected mobile clinical scenarios and improving workflow efficiency in hospitals.

The release of this innovative technology is a significant step forward for POCUS and marks a new era in portable ultrasound devices.

Conclusion

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS ) systems have emerged as a valuable diagnostic tool in the field of orthopedics by providing improved precision and accuracy of diagnosis, real-time visualization of tissue planes, nerves, and vessels, and the ability to perform imaging studies at the patient's bedside.

With continued advancements and increased accessibility, the benefits of PoCUS will extend to other medical specialties, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients worldwide.

The cost-effectiveness of this technology makes it a game-changer in the healthcare industry, paving the way for greater accessibility and affordability of healthcare for all.

PoCUS technology holds great promise for the future of healthcare and should be embraced as an essential tool in modern medical practice.

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