Reimagine Ultrasound

Moving Ultrasound Complexity from Hardware to Software

Applications

Reimagine Ultrasound

Moving Ultrasound Complexity from Hardware to Software

Applications

The SmartAcoustics Story

A world of opportunities opens up when we move ultrasound complexity from hardware to software. Put ultrasound at the exact point of need, whether on the surgeon’s scalpel or in the community nurse’s medical bag. Scan onscene, or remotely. And upgrade instantly, without the need for new hardware.

Founder and engineer Henry Gomersall was carrying out PhD research to improve medical ultrasound imaging when the realisation hit. What if the way you make the images depends on how you pose the question? Henry switched from searching for answers to formulating problems – mathematically.

In 2010, with PostDoc funding from the EPSRC to commercialise his IP, Smart Acoustics was formed. Henry found that existing machines performed demonstrably better with his algorithms. So why did no one care? His brother Toby had a process to determine the answer. In 2015, the electrical engineer left his role in FPGA development to bring a lean start-up approach to the business.

An MVP followed, and because our approach is software-defined, we’re able to iterate that MVP to address clinician’s specific needs. Meaning we are ready to serve niche areas which aren’t in the sights of current ultrasound providers.

In July 2018 we were backed by TTP to partner in the development of the application of ultrasound technology in specific clinical settings. TTP brings technical, commercial and financial resources and expertise in developing and bringing new technologies to market.

Today we are looking for partners to help continue to develop, licence or bring to market one, or a number of, specific clinical ultrasound applications where research has revealed customer need and commercial opportunity.

The SmartAcoustics Story

A world of opportunities opens up when we move ultrasound complexity from hardware to software. Put ultrasound at the exact point of need, whether on the surgeon’s scalpel or in the community nurse’s medical bag. Scan onscene, or remotely. And upgrade instantly, without the need for new hardware.

Founder and engineer Henry Gomersall was carrying out PhD research to improve medical ultrasound imaging when the realisation hit. What if the way you make the images depends on how you pose the question? Henry switched from searching for answers to formulating problems – mathematically.

In 2010, with PostDoc funding from the EPSRC to commercialise his IP, Smart Acoustics was formed. Henry found that existing machines performed demonstrably better with his algorithms. So why did no one care? His brother Toby had a process to determine the answer. In 2015, the electrical engineer left his role in FPGA development to bring a lean start-up approach to the business.

An MVP followed, and because our approach is software-defined, we’re able to iterate that MVP to address clinician’s specific needs. Meaning we are ready to serve niche areas which aren’t in the sights of current ultrasound providers.

In July 2018 we were backed by TTP to partner in the development of the application of ultrasound technology in specific clinical settings. TTP brings technical, commercial and financial resources and expertise in developing and bringing new technologies to market.

Today we are looking for partners to help continue to develop, licence or bring to market one, or a number of, specific clinical ultrasound applications where research has revealed customer need and commercial opportunity.

Founder

Toby Gomersall

Toby trained as an electronic engineer and prior to joining SmartAcoustics, developed strong industrial experience in FPGA and firmware development, primarily in defence and security. In building SmartAcoustics with Henry, he brings a ruthless product focus with a deep passion for quality.

Founder

Henry Gomersall

Since completing his PhD (Cambridge), Henry has focussed on turning his research into a viable commercial proposition. It is his PhD and postdoctoral research that underpins the SmartUS technology. He is published on novel ultrasound signal processing and his expertise has been sought by both industry and academic partners.

Founder

Henry Gomersall

Since completing his PhD (Cambridge), Henry has focussed on turning his research into a viable commercial proposition. It is his PhD and postdoctoral research that underpins the SmartUS technology. He is published on novel ultrasound signal processing and his expertise has been sought by both industry and academic partners.

Founder

Toby Gomersall

Toby is trained as an electronic engineering and prior to joining SmartAcoustics, developed strong industrial experience in FPGA and firmware development, primarily in defence and security. In building SmartAcoustics with Henry, he brings a ruthless product focus with a deep passion for quality.

Ultrasound in New Places, Situations and Applications

We’re working to make ‘calling for the ultrasound machine’, and waiting for it to arrive, a thing of the past. Ultrasound should be ubiquitous, and invisible. It’s safe and effective. Wherever it could be useful, it should be used.

Ultrasound in New Places, Situations and Applications

We’re working to make ‘calling for the ultrasound machine’, and waiting for it to arrive, a thing of the past. Ultrasound should be ubiquitous, and invisible. It’s safe and effective. Wherever it could be useful, it should be used.

The Issue

Failure to identify foetus in breech position

According to a 2019 study, universal ultrasound scanning at 36 weeks would identify 14,826 undiagnosed breech pregnancies in England each year. Current procedures (feeling the bump) fail to detect 30-40% of foetuses in the breech position, meaning women face a higher risk vaginal breech birth, which may lead to an emergency c-section. With universal scanning, attempts could be made to turn the baby and c-sections scheduled, saving lives and reducing costs.

The Breakthrough

Low cost application-specific ultrasound

We propose a system optimised for the single task of detecting breech position. Our patented technology allows the device to be low cost and easy to use, making it viable for universal scanning by any clinician. The 2019 study found that if scans could be provided for around £20 per woman, the programme would be acceptable by the usual measures of cost-effectiveness.

The Next Step

Seeking the right partner

We’re looking for a partner manufacturer to invest in development of the product. We are in conversation with manufacturers of complementary devices – med tech products of a similar price point and volume.

The Issue

Life or death decisions based on limited information

Paramedics make high pressure, life or death decisions make on limited information. A mis- diagnosis leads to incorrect treatment, increased mortality rate and longer-term problems.

Research shows access to ultrasound changes decisions: 22% switched destination hospital and, in the case of cardiac scans, 78% altered management of the patient. Yet, modern ambulances are not equipped with ultrasound as current devices are too bulky or fragile for use in this setting.

The Breakthrough

Low cost, portable, rugged device

Our device is rugged enough to withstand the challenges of the critical care, pre-hospital environment. It’s also portable and small, so can fit into a medic’s backpack. It’s cheap enough that it would be viable for each of the estimated 6000 emergency response vehicles in the UK to be equipped with one.

It’s simple to learn, making it ideal for the paramedics who aren’t currently trained in ultrasound scanning. And – vitally – its ‘plug and play’ simplicity delivers fast, focused results in a high pressure situation.

The Next Step

Prototype complete

We’ve developed a prototype that we’re sharing with medics – feedback is overwhelmingly positive. We’re now talking to potential partners willing to work with us to take the product into manufacturing, testing and market.

The Issue

Medical devices don't work in the developing world

Market penetration for medical equipment is close to zero in developed nations, despite the fact that 30% of the world’s healthcare expenditure is in the developing world – a percentage that’s growing. Cost of purchase and maintenance, portability, robustness and ease of use where training is not accessible all prevent widespread adoption of ultrasound. There is essentially no local production of medical equipment for local use, and most imported equipment is deemed poor quality, with 96% not working just 5 years after donation and 39% never worked due to lack of training, manuals or accessories.

The Breakthrough

Tailoring the tech to the task

The ability to create low-cost devices is only part of the story. They must be fit for purpose. Combining software-defined ultrasound with a task-specific design approach enables us to balance cost, portability, robustness and training requirements for each use case. This flexibility means we can develop products not only for a specific diagnostic or surgical procedure in the developing world but also – through understanding usage – build in functionality such as the ability to repair in the field.

The Next Step

Seeking NGO for further exploration

We have ideas on novel routes to development. We’re looking for an NGO to share their local understanding and help us identify the right use case in the developing world. This in turn will inform product design and licensing strategy.

UbisonOne System by SmartAcoustics

To demonstrate the potential of the SmartAcoustics approach, the team have developed UbisonOne. Drawing upon our patented SmartUS technology, UbisonOne delivers sector leading ultrasound capabilities offering dramatic performance improvements compared with any system currently available.

  • Lighter – Weighs no more than a smartphone
  • Smaller – Ultraportable device which fits into a pocket
  • Longer Battery Life – Measured in hours not minutes

The underlying SmartUS technology offers the potential for radically novel applications such as on-instrument laproscopic ultrasound with none of the conventional cable routing problems.

UbisonOne System by SmartAcoustics

To demonstrate the potential of the SmartAcoustics approach, the team have developed UbisonOne. Drawing upon our patented SmartUS technology, UbisonOne delivers sector leading ultrasound capabilities offering dramatic performance improvements compared with any system currently available.

  • Lighter – Weighs no more than a smartphone
  • Smaller – Ultraportable device which fits into a pocket
  • Longer Battery Life – Measured in hours not minutes

The underlying SmartUS technology offers the potential for radically novel applications such as on-instrument laproscopic ultrasound with none of the conventional cable routing problems.

Contact Us

Are you an investor, medical device manufacturer or NGO? We would love to discuss the future of smart ultrasound with you.

E: info@smartacoustics.co.uk

SmartAcoustics
Ideaspace City
3 Laundress Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1SD

Contact Us

Are you an investor, medical device manufacturer or NGO? We would love to discuss the future of smart ultrasound with you.

E: info@smartacoustics.co.uk

SmartAcoustics
Ideaspace City
3 Laundress Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1SD