Siemens unveils the P10 handheld ultrasound machine

Ultrasound machines have been getting smaller for a while now, leading some doctors to claim that they'll eventually replace the stethoscope -- and Siemen's latest model, the ACUSON P10, is another step in the transition. The 1.6-pound P10 is designed to fit inside a standard white coat pocket, and can store images and video clips for later examination. The unit is currently undergoing clinical trials in the US; hopefully that "optimized price" Siemens is touting means that we'll be seeing the P10 pop up in hospitals very soon.

[Via MedGadget]

[BlahBlah24 @ Jun 26th 2007 11:26PM]

I fully admit I have a dirty mind that tends to run to the gutter, but am I the only one who sees something fallic in the tummy-side of this device?

[ByronGman @ Jun 26th 2007 11:46PM]

Thanks for that.

[Leo @ Jun 27th 2007 12:14AM]

I thought the same thing.

[Ellianth @ Jun 27th 2007 12:20AM]

I also thought it was something else.

[Jeff @ Jun 27th 2007 1:57AM]

I thought it was another Wii controller ....

[4cr JaXs @ Jun 28th 2007 1:54AM]

It is spelled 'phallic'.

[Fernando @ Jun 26th 2007 11:41PM]

The Siemens P10... ahh good old siemens naming... missed that. Curse you BenQ! (or qisda, whatever)

[lyl545646 @ Jun 26th 2007 11:50PM]

what the hell is Siemens?

[Gregory Kimball @ Jun 27th 2007 12:12AM]

What the hell are these "search engines" and "online encyclopedias" that you speak of? Are you suggesting that the internet can be used to obtain knowledge? Madness!

[lyl545646 @ Jun 27th 2007 12:34AM]

OMG, I didn't know you can actually search for stuff you don't know on the internet, wow, that really brights my day.

[Dan Rabinowitz @ Jun 26th 2007 11:59PM]

is it just me or does this device scream "perfect safe cracking tool" or "bank thief's best friend"?

[Tim @ Jun 29th 2007 9:28PM]

I work for GE repairing ultrasound systems for a living. They don't work too well through metal.

[just.Rob @ Jun 27th 2007 12:06AM]

i didnt realize that nintendo was going to release a portable Wii that quickly!



i kid

[Nique @ Jun 27th 2007 12:08AM]

Not to get off topic, but why does the component in the right hand (left side of photo) look like a penis?

[Hmmmm @ Jun 27th 2007 12:17AM]

Well look at how the company name is pronounced hehe, its only natural for it to look that that. Plus it will make the woman getting the ultrasound to see a familiar shape.. hehe thats how she got into that situation afterall.

[dramamoose @ Jun 27th 2007 1:35AM]

When Engadget says ultrasound, my geek-oriented mind goes "Ooh! New speakers."

I thought we were talking about some new, really cool, speakers that were handheld.
Why I would have handheld speakers, I don't know. But I still think it would be cool.

[zuricher @ Jun 27th 2007 1:40AM]

In other news, nintendo just announced the portable wii-brator and has signed a deal with vivid to provide the content for the games. The only downside so far is that the touch-sensitive display in prototype units is monochrome. Nintendo Spokesman Ken Toyoda confirmed this, although pointed out that this is a measurement to keep employees on a productive level. Displays will certainly change until the final version hits production.

[Aaron @ Jun 27th 2007 2:07AM]

YES, finally I can investigate the inner workings of pregnant ladies where ever I go, using a penis-shaped tool. I know what I want for Christmas already!

[RijilV @ Jun 27th 2007 10:54AM]

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but the unit as shown doesn't have a vaginal probe.. wouldn't be very useful for an obstetric ultrasound.

Though, it is likely they would make such a probe. The impact of this unit, if priced low enough, on rural medicine is huge.

It'll probably also come in handy when the conservative jackasses outlaw abortion.

[Aaron @ Jun 28th 2007 4:25PM]

I was joking... :)

I'm sure you're right about all that.

[Samir Shah @ Jun 27th 2007 2:20AM]

I come from a family of doctors and I see tremendous future for this machine in aiding diagnosis. The doctors are right in predicting that this machine will replace stethoscope. Siemens should price the machine as low as possible (while still making a profit) and go for volume.

[stitifier @ Jun 27th 2007 2:27AM]

The great thing about stethoscopes is that (for the most part) they don't require batteries, are relatively simple to use, and with the proper training can reveal a boatload of anatomical and physiological information. And I seriously doubt that any ultrasound machine is going to be too useful when it comes to listening to breath or bowel sounds. Let's not get carried away here.

Ultrasound has its place, and as the technology develops, more uses will be found for it, no doubt. But even with CT scans, MRIs, and other forms of imaging available, we still teach the physical exam. There's a good reason for it: it's free, it's fast, and usually it works.

[-Tj- @ Jun 27th 2007 3:16AM]

Wow, that's quite a device. I didn't know it was possible to have a baby inside your arm...

[Peff_D @ Jun 27th 2007 9:03AM]

Note to every Penis comment...

That's what a normal Ultrasound wand looks like... Grow up

[DorianGray @ Jun 27th 2007 10:14AM]

hehehehehe

u sed penis

[Aaron @ Jun 28th 2007 4:30PM]

Yeah, and what do you think nature created first? The penis or the ultrasound wand? I think the guy who made that thing had a pretty good idea of what it resembled, don't you? Maybe you should tell THAT guy to grow up. It's not like penises came around later, you know.

[LordJohnWhorfin @ Jun 27th 2007 10:24AM]

Soon to join the e-meter in the panoply of the Perfect Scientologist. Ask Tom Cruise.

[Pat @ Jun 27th 2007 11:47AM]

I see a tremendous potential in this Wii vibrator controller.

[TIMMAH! @ Jun 27th 2007 1:45PM]

Call me a pessimist, but somehow I think this'll contribute to a falloff in female newborn rates in places like India since now the ultrasound can be done even more covertly.

[Wael @ Jun 27th 2007 1:59PM]

Wow... I hear Tom Cruise is buying these by the truck load. Get ready Katie

[Devendra @ Jul 9th 2007 12:07AM]

Fentastic product by siemens for doctor but pric?????????????????