binarypublish- French startup Sonio is using AI to improve the safety and accuracy of fetal ultrasound examinations.
- The company’s technology can analyse 200,000 images, highlighting any abnormalities and automating reporting processes.
- Sonio received $14m in Series A funding in June and in August, was cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration, paving the way for a 2024 US launch.
Cécile Brosset Dubois, the founder of Sonio, believes that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in fetal ultrasound analysis could significantly improve the diagnostic process. This technology is capable of speeding up the diagnosis of rare conditions and reducing errors. Given that one in every 33 children born in the United States has a birth defect, early detection through improved ultrasound readings could dramatically improve the health outcomes for newborns and their mothers.
The AI system developed by Sonio has been trained on a dataset of approximately 200,000 images, enabling it to quickly and accurately detect potential fetal abnormalities. Importantly, the system is compatible with ultrasound equipment from any manufacturer, meaning clinics can utilise the Sonio software without needing to replace their existing machinery.
Back in June, Sonio raised $14 million (€12.9 million) in Series A funding. In August, the company received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- the first company of its kind to do so. While its products are already in use across Europe and in locations such as India, Brazil, and Nigeria, the FDA approval could allow the company to move into the US market by 2024.
Brosset Dubois is hopeful that the use of advanced technology will help to “improve global access and quality of care for women and children”. Part of a broader movement within healthcare and technology known as femtech, the work of companies like Sonio is poised to greatly improve pre-and postnatal care, leading to healthier pregnancies and improved outcomes for newborns.
