Butterfly Network has secured clearance for new AI-enabled software designed to quickly diagnose lung ailments, the company announced this week.
Butterfly Network, founded in Guilford and now based in Massachusetts, received FDA approval for technology that can interpret data from ultrasound clips to help diagnose diseases like congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and COVID-19.
The company plans to roll out the new software in early summer, according to a statement.
The software uses deep-learning AI technology to automatically analyze ultrasound scans to produce a B-line count, or a measure of the vertical lines on a scan that indicate the wetness in the lungs linked to lung disease. B-line counts have traditionally been done manually.
Butterfly founder and interim CEO Jonathan Rothberg said, “Our AI-enabled auto B-line counter empowers providers to assess lung conditions faster and with more confidence – and in turn, will aid in earlier detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.”
Rothberg took over as CEO earlier this year after the departure of Dr. Todd Fruchterman, who had been in the top job since early 2021.
“Applying AI to make ultrasound easier to use is core to Butterfly, and will enable powerful ultrasound to be in the palm of more clinicians’ hands, across specialities, to monitor, assess, and prescribe treatments in a more informed way,” Rothberg said.
Butterfly’s software draws from 3.5 million de-identified ultrasound images to develop and train its AI algorithms.
Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com
