Siemens Healthineers will launch its new ACUSON Bonsai portable cardiovascular ultrasound system at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session and Expo this weekend in Orlando.

The company designed this ultrasound together with Mindray Medical International Limited.

“[A smaller ultrasound] is more ideal with respect to space constraints, and provides easier maneuverability throughout the hospital and at bedside,” Marti McCulloch, cardiology segment director for NA for Siemens Ultrasound, told HCB News. “This is perfect for a hospital that wants to go portable, a physician’s office, the outpatient setting or the inpatient setting to do stress echo.”
A recent report published by Arlington Medical Research found that 34 million echo exams were performed in the U.S. in 2017. Since clinicians’ workloads are increasing, Siemens designed the ACUSON Bonsai with that in mind.

The sonographer only has to press one button and the system automatically optimizes the ultrasound image. The system is also equipped with Siemens’ Auto EF and Auto IMT applications that automatically measure intima-media thickness.

The automated protocols reduce scan times by up to 43 percent and reduce key strokes up to 75 percent, according to a study published in 2016 titled “The Role of a Protocol Management Feature in Improving Ultrasound Lab Efficiency.”

The ACUSON Bonsai is 1.7 centimeters thinner than a conventional laptop-based ultrasound. It has several of the high-end features that are seen on Siemens’ SC2000 premium ultrasound platform.

“This is our premium product in a smaller footprint,” said McCulloch. “All of the software and applications come with the system, along with the cart and two transducers for one really good price.”

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