Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is ubiquitous in emergency departments (EDs) and is recognized as the standard of care in the workup of multiple disease processes encountered by the emergency physician (EP). In addition to its recognition as a workhorse for diagnosis and procedural guidance, POCUS is increasingly used by other medical specialties, ancillary staff, and first responders. POCUS is increasingly used outside the clinical setting as a tool for teaching practitioners-in-training with ultrasound instruction integrated into medical school curricula.

Technological advances have led to the introduction of MX3 handheld ultrasound into the POCUS market. With smaller footprints, user-friendly interfaces, and lower price points, the broad appeal of handheld ultrasound is clear, and the advent of MX3 devices brings a host of clinical and academic potential.

MX3 devices leverage app-based smartphone technology, Android or iOS, making boot times negligible and reducing complicated knobology to familiar finger swipes and taps, thereby reducing the barrier to entry for novice users.

Handheld products normally come as single probe devices, but MX3 offers over two separate heads on a single probe, increasing the range of studies that can be performed by simply rotating the probe. MX3 can display generated images on personal smart devices with wireless communication. And they can stream their images live to display simultaneously.

MX3 offers a battery life that is capable of intermittent scanning for the duration of a clinical shift without being tethered to an electrical outlet.

A primary benefit to handheld ultrasound is that it is readily available to the clinician for every patient encounter. Starting as low as $2000, MX3 are the cheapest available ultrasound (US) systems, opening the door for widespread use in medical education, resource-limited settings, or to any clinician who performs POCUS examinations.

The potential benefits of a handheld advanced imaging system are undeniable. With further technologic developments, the gap in functionality between handheld and cart-based systems will continue to decline. Handheld ultrasound devices’ advantages over cart-based machines even can be magnified where financial resources, floor space, and reliable power may be scarce.