GE HealthCare has announced a $44 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to create user-friendly, AI-assisted ultrasound imaging auto-assessment tools for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Caption Health, a California-based medical AI developer acquired by GE HealthCare earlier this year, aims to design systems that can operate across a range of ultrasound devices and probes, including lower-cost handheld devices that will help make obstetric and lung screening ultrasound scans across maternal and fetal care as well as pediatric lung health more effective even when conducted by those without specialized training or experience with ultrasound technology.

Ultrasound technologies are used in maternal care to determine fetal health markers and conditions such as gestational age, fetal presentation, multiple gestation (more than one fetus), fetal viability, umbilical blood flow, and ectopic pregnancy. The broader use of and access to ultrasound technology can help to greatly reduce maternal and infant mortality. According to GE HealthCare, in 2020, almost 800 women died every day from preventable causes linked to pregnancy and childbirth, with approximately 95 percent of all maternal deaths occurring in LMICs. In 2019, 2.4 million children around the world died in their first month of life.

“Ultrasound is an essential tool for screening and diagnosis of various medical conditions, including the health of expectant mothers and managing respiratory diseases,” said Roland Rott, president and CEO of the ultrasound business unit at GE HealthCare. “A key limitation is the guidance of lesser-skilled users to effectively apply affordable point-of-care ultrasound in their care environment. This grant will help bring [this technology] to more users, and therefore contribute to increased access to higher-quality medical care.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Keith Brofsky)