Project description
Portable, pocket-size ultrasound device
For over 20 years, ultrasound imaging has been used as a safe diagnostic technology. Not only is it less expensive and simpler than other diagnostic imaging devices, it’s also safer since it is non-invasive (using sound waves to provide images from inside the body). There is, however, room for improvement. The EU-funded Echophone project will develop the most versatile high-performance ultrasound imaging device on the market. It will be smaller (pocket-size) but feature the same high standards in image quality and clinical outcomes as commercial ultrasound systems. Work on the device benefited from the lower power consumption of new-generation chips that allow engineers to create a handheld device with a novel electronic architecture. The Echophone is expected to improve primary care attention and enhance EU healthcare systems.
Objective
Ultrasound is one of the safest diagnostic technologies used in medicine. But current ultrasound technology is severely limited: it is expensive, bulky and very complex to handle. Ultrasound devices started as card-based devices in the 1950 and the first hand-carried versions were launched in the 2000s. Since 2015, there have been attempts to create a pocket-size point-of-care (POC) version. So far, the commercial POC versions do not measure up as they sacrifice image quality for low cost and size. But this is an important challenge to overcome as POC ultrasound can save lives .
At Somax System S.L. we have invented Echophone, the most versatile high-performance ultrasound imaging device on the market. Echophone represents a pocket -size device that has all the technical features found in a commercial ultrasound system. It offers the same high standards in image quality and clinical outcomes at an affordable price. In other words, the patented Echophone is the first European POC ultrasound device.
Advances in semi-conductor technology and parallel computing were the main aspects allowing us to create Echophone. Specifically, the lower power consumption of the new generation of chips allowed us to create a hand-held device with a novel electronic architecture. Likewise, thanks to the latest advances in parallel computation our algorithms can run over it in real-time. Our innovation can make us an important player in the European portable ultrasound market that was €1.3 billion in 2018.
We plan to sell the Echphone at €7,000/device first to medical institutions (hospitals, specialists, GPs) and to other industries.
Our team consists of three partners, which together have over 35 publications in refereed journals or scientific publications.
Prognosis improvement in Primary Care attention would save over €3.5 billion in the EU healthcare systems and enhance the wellbeing of 185 million people.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications mobile phones
- engineering and technology medical engineering medical laboratory technology diagnostic technologies
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology
- natural sciences physical sciences acoustics ultrasound
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
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H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
28807 ALCALA DE HENARES MADRID
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.