Plug and Play Ultrasound Probe

We can't really remember the last time we walked into a Best Buy looking for a nice portable USB ultrasound solution, but it's comforting to know that such a future might be in store for us. The new Plug and Play Ultrasound Probe System (PPUPS) from Direct Medical Systems forgoes the usual ultrasound cart by letting you use your laptop or desktop computer to process the ultrasound signal from the USB 2.0 probe. The PPUPS weighs a mere 7.5 ounces, and comes in different frequency versions to match common ultrasound applications. DMS is still waiting on FDA approval for the device, but once that goes through you should be able to pick one of these suckers of up for $3700.

[Via Medgadget]

[gem @ May 26th 2006 4:23AM]

This should've come out earlier when Tom Cruise really needed it. (Remember there was news a while back that he purchased an ultrasound machine to use on Katie?)

[Mephistophelian @ May 26th 2006 4:39AM]

I'd sure love to use that on Katie Holmes.

[Chris @ May 26th 2006 4:42AM]

I see Engadget is covering sex toys now...interesting...very interesting...

[Little Joe @ May 26th 2006 4:47AM]

#3

gahahaha... classic

[John @ May 26th 2006 7:06AM]

Thats a "probe" all right, but it looks like it has more functions then just an ultrasound...

[daddy @ May 26th 2006 7:06AM]

if price at around three times ultrasound trips, I'll buy one. But with that price i guess it's intended only for rich obstetricians. #1 #4 gay.

[Johnmazz84 @ May 26th 2006 7:08AM]

The "Plug and Play" probe? Sounds like it's aptly named...

[DM @ May 26th 2006 7:20AM]

#8 haha lmao

"The device is now connected & functioning properly..." :P

[Ken @ May 26th 2006 8:56AM]

Wow... the quality of comments shows how little engadget readers know about ultrasound wands, and how puerile they are. *all* ultrasound wands look like that, whether they're to a $3,700 USB device or to a $54,000 GE device. Given that it's bouncing high-frequency sound off your innards and basically performing radar imaging, there aren't too many other shapes it can take.

And it would probably amuse all the kids that the ultrasound wands are typically covered in alcohol-based jellies to improve conductivity and image resolution.

[Danbo @ May 26th 2006 9:13AM]

If you look at the Direct Medical website, it looks like these are "for veterinary use only". Not quite the hospital-budget-easing breakthrough I was hoping for...

[Brian from Texas @ May 26th 2006 9:15AM]

mmmmm, jellies.

[Tom @ May 26th 2006 9:46AM]

Plug and pray she's not pregnant

[foobarman @ May 26th 2006 9:55AM]

I saw a documentary on PBS that showed the abuse of these kind of devices in a country like China, where determining the sex of the fetus will be a factor in the decision whether it gets aborted or not. (aka "we only keep the boys") As these devices get cheaper and cheaper, the potential for abuse and misuse grows significantly.

[Barry @ May 26th 2006 11:00AM]

People should not think of ultrasound as benign. It is a dangerous tool in the wrong hands. As someone who has studied sound and its effects, I want to remind you ultrasound is used to break up kidney stones and clean dental tools. The last thing you want to do is make your kid a living kidney stone, even if the risk might be small.

Further, what is ultrasonic to us could very well be sonic to unborn children.

[iamcoldnorth @ May 26th 2006 1:14PM]

#11--More than likely this is because the device is not yet FDA approved. Looking at the front page of the DMS site, they are seeking FDA approval (which would allow human use) and expect to have it by fall. This really would be cool for places that can not afford an ultrasound machine or where it would be impractical (field use).

#15--What are you talking about? I could imagine if the amplitude were high enough and the frequency were right damage MIGHT be a possibility, but generally the amplitude used by a device such as this is far too low to cause damage. Ultrasound has been used for pre-natal imaging for years. I can not recall any documented cases of fetal injury due to ultrasound.

[dejitaru @ May 26th 2006 2:09PM]

hahhaa "we got a portable ultrasound where gonna look at your baby!"

you guys sure do dig the J+J+J dontcha.

[TIMMAH! @ May 26th 2006 4:55PM]

I'm predicting huge sales in China and India...

[Remi @ May 27th 2006 1:55AM]

Now I can stop taking my pregnant wife to the baby doctor, thanks engadget!