Exo launches Iris, its handheld ultrasound device

The device comes equipped with real-time artificial intelligence features

Exo (pronounced “echo”) is on a mission to make the ultrasound machine as easy to use as a smartphone camera. To do that, the company has developed a software platform called Exo Works, which is designed to solve workflow issues around imaging, and SweepAI, which automatically acquires images with a sweep of the caregiver’s wrist, to ensure consistent and accurate imaging. 

On Tuesday, the company put the final piece of the puzzle in place, announcing the launch of its handheld ultrasound device, Exo Iris, which will allow nurses, medics, and physicians to get real-time insight into the human body when and where patients need it for diagnosis and treatment.

The device, which is now available for sale in the U.S. starting at $3,500, is built on Exo’s proprietary silicon technology, and comes equipped with real-time artificial intelligence features.

"Every bit of momentum in the last 18 months at Exo has been leading up this moment: the launch of Exo Iris," Sandeep Akkaraju, the company's CEO and co-founder, told VatorNews.  

The combination of Iris, Works, and SweepAI "blends an entire medical imaging ecosystem to perform flawlessly across hospitals, clinics, and at home, making communication across all spectrums of care possible," he said.

The launch of the device benefits both caregivers and patients: with the full ecosystem in place, every caregiver, regardless of their specialty, will have access to immediate insights when and where patients need them.

"Caregivers benefit from streamlined documentation and improved image capture, allowing for less time on paperwork and more time caring for patients. Easier documentation means exams are being accounted for, and therefore health systems benefit from improved revenue capture, allowing them to invest in staff and technologies to meet mounting patient demands," said Akkaraju.

"Patients, meanwhile, should expect quality care from anywhere and caregivers must treat people at the point of care to enable a healthier world. Unfortunately, most of the world lacks access to medical imaging and as a result, many caregivers struggle to get immediate answers."

There are several health systems currently using Exo Works, including Geisinger, WVU Medical Center, and Sana Kliniken AG, with many more in various stages of implementation.

While the Exo Iris device is being made available to these systems, and all others who are interested, Works and Iris can be used independently of one another, though Exo Iris comes equipped with Exo Works.

"That's one of the many benefits of our ecosystem. Our ecosystem works best together so caregivers can get access to informatics that allows information captured at the point of care to flow throughout the entire medical ecosystem following patients throughout the care journey and improving collaboration on patient care along the way," said Akkaraju.

Apart from the release of Iris, Exo has seen a number of milestones this year: earlier this month, the company announced that Geisinger implemented Exo Works to simplify and streamline ultrasound exam documentation, billing, and quality assurance at the point of care. Additionally, in June the company announced a partnership with Sana Kliniken AG, an integrated healthcare provider in the German-speaking region with over 120 facilities. It also earned HITRUST certification and successfully completed the SOC 2 Type II certification for Exo Works. 

Now, with all three pieces in place, the company sees itself building a future where everyone can get immediate medical answers at the point of care, focusing on high-growth and new, emerging markets.

"We will continue to innovate and execute on our growth strategies to put the Exo ecosystem into the hands of every caregiver, across every type of care setting. That includes continuing to release new AI solutions and rapidly evolving our technology to meet the needs of every caregiver now and in the future," said Akkaraju.

"The ultimate goal is to ensure every patient across the globe can receive faster, more accurate medical answers, leading to a healthier world. Exo is on a mission to trailblaze new care pathways and modernize the medical landscape by bringing medical imaging everywhere. Over the next few years, we will be hyper-focused on this mission."