Massachusetts-based medical device company, Butterfly Network, has launched its AI tool, the Auto B-line Counter, commercially. The tool uses artificial intelligence to provide medical practitioners with an accurate B-line count from a short lung ultrasound clip. B-lines are vertical, bright lines that indicate lung conditions such as pulmonary congestion or volume overload. By automating the counting process, the tool aims to make it faster and more efficient for doctors to identify and assess lung issues without the use of radiation. Studies have shown that treating patients based on B-line counts can reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Butterfly joins other companies such as Phillips and GE HealthCare in offering AI-powered B-line quantification tools.
To develop and train the tool’s algorithm, Butterfly used its internal database which contains millions of de-identified ultrasound videos from across all 50 states. The data points come from ultrasounds conducted on patients of different ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and body mass indexes. Butterfly CEO, John Martin, believes that automating the process will not only increase the consistency of measurements but also the frequency of providers using the tool to manage patients more efficiently. The speed and accuracy of the Auto B-line Counter make it a useful tool in emergency departments, where labored breathing is a common reason for visits. Instead of sending a patient for a chest x-ray, emergency physicians can use the lung ultrasound tool at the bedside for an automatic B-line count, helping to determine if a condition like congestive heart failure or COPD is present. Primary care physicians can also benefit from the tool as it allows for quick lung scans during regular physical exams, helping them make more informed care decisions. While the adoption by primary care providers might be limited due to the short duration of an annual physical, reimbursement is not an issue, as the tool is included in the current CPT code for professional services.
Butterfly’s goal with the Auto B-line Counter, as with its other AI tools, is to help healthcare professionals practice more efficiently and consistently by assisting with image acquisition and interpretation. By boosting confidence in using ultrasound at the bedside and proving its value in various clinical applications, Butterfly aims to drive more widespread utilization of this powerful tool. The launch of the Auto B-line Counter marks another step towards achieving this goal.
July 5, 2023
Artificial Intelligence
FDAcop
