With global trends showing an increase in maternal age and pregnancy-related complications, precision imaging for prenatal diagnostics and rapid clinical decision-making have become increasingly vital. As a result, women’s health diagnostic systems are evolving beyond basic fetal evaluations to encompass early complication prediction, maternal health assessments, and holistic wellness.

Aligning with these global clinical needs, Samsung Medison showcased the HERA Z Series at the 34th International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) World Congress held in London from September 4 to 7.

Under the banner “HERA Z, The Flagship Series,” Samsung Medison presented its vision for next-generation diagnostic solutions, showcasing the series as a unified platform that spans the full spectrum of women’s healthcare.

The HERA Z Series serves as a comprehensive diagnostic platform designed to support maternal and fetal care alike, featuring AI-assisted automated measurement tools and dedicated neonatal probes.

Advanced AI Workflows and Next-Generation Imaging Architecture

The newly launched HERA Z10 inherits the proven AI-based workflow solutions of the flagship HERA Z20 while incorporating advanced beamforming technology designed to maximize image clarity. This expanded lineup empowers healthcare institutions to choose from a more versatile selection of premium systems within the HERA Z Series, perfectly tailored to their unique clinical environments and operational goals.

Engineered specifically to streamline clinical workflows through artificial intelligence, the HERA Z10 delivers significant efficiency gains:

• Live ViewAssist: According to joint clinical research conducted with Professor Giuseppe Rizzo and Professor Daniele Di Mascio of Sapienza University of Rome — founding members of ISUOG — Live ViewAssist reduces scan times during mid-trimester detailed ultrasound examinations by up to 52%.
• EzStructure: Reduces manual manipulation for key measurement parameters by up to 71%, significantly enhancing measurement consistency and objectivity while dramatically lowering clinician fatigue.

Enhanced AI Diagnostic Assistance for High-Risk Pregnancies

The system also introduces enhanced AI-assisted diagnostic capabilities for complex clinical scenarios:

• MV-Flow 3D: Captures microvascular blood flow at high resolution, providing critical clinical value for managing high-risk pregnancies, aiding in the diagnosis of placenta accreta and evaluation of  abnormal uterine or umbilical cord blood vessels.
• FibroidVue: Utilizes AI to automatically segment, visualize, and measure the uterus, endometrium, and uterine fibroids, facilitating intuitive and efficient clinical assessments.

Interactive Experiences and Digital Synergy at ISUOG

At the ISUOG Congress, Samsung Medison hosted interactive experience zones highlighting the core value proposition of the HERA Z Series. Under the theme “ART OF ULTRASOUND,” an AI digital art exhibition reinterpreting fetal ultrasound images drew strong interest from attendees. Additionally, Samsung Medison demonstrated an integrated digital solution using Galaxy Tab devices, allowing clinicians and mothers to seamlessly monitor fetal growth records throughout the pregnancy journey.

“The launch of the HERA Z10 is more than just an addition to our product lineup; it represents a major milestone in extending the distinctive clinical value of the HERA Z Series to a wider range of healthcare settings,” said Jihyun Kim, Head of CX Team at Samsung Medison. “By leveraging premium imaging technology and unparalleled AI workflows, we remain committed to meeting diverse clinical needs and driving brand innovation so that healthcare professionals worldwide can select custom-fit solutions optimized for their unique practice environments.”

▲ The ISUOG World Congress will be held in Seoul, Korea from October 16 to 19

Samsung Medison, a global medical equipment company and an affiliate of Samsung Electronics, will be showcasing its AI-based diagnostic solutions at ISUOG (International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology) World Congress 2023 held in Seoul, South Korea from October 16 to 19.

As one of the most important academic societies in the field of obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound, ISUOG organizes annual congresses worldwide to share the latest technology and research findings. This year’s event, held for the first time in Seoul, will be attended by nearly 2,000 obstetricians and gynecologists from 126 countries.

Samsung Medison, a main sponsor of the event, will showcase Samsung’s AI diagnostic technology through the display of its premium ultrasound systems “HERA W10 Elite” and “V8,” diagnostic solution demonstrations and a symposium.

▲ Samsung Medison’s HERA W10 Elite(left) and V8 will be exhibited at ISUOG 2023

HERA W10 Elite is a premium ultrasound system equipped with a 27-inch OLED monitor, which exhibits less brightness variation across viewing angles than conventional LCD monitors. Its probe delivers superior resolution, allowing users to view high-contrast ultrasound images from various angles without compromising image quality.

At the conference, Samsung Medison will showcase AI-based diagnostic assistant solutions, including HeartAssist, which categorizes and provides measurement results for fetal heart diagnosis with a simple press of a button; and UterineAssist, which automatically measures the size and shape of the uterus helping to accurately examine and diagnose the uterus.

In addition, Samsung Medison will present AI-automated measurement functions such as BiometryAssist and ViewAssist, which measure and automatically annotate fetal growth indicators by extending the items previously measured only in the 2nd trimester (14-27 weeks) to the 1st trimester (1-13 weeks) in accordance with the newly revised ISUOG guidelines in February 2023.

“Using the BiometryAssist feature, fetal weight can be measured with professional accuracy up to 48 hours before delivery, and the measurement time can be dramatically reduced,” said Professor Mar Gil of Torrejón University Hospital, Spain, in an abstract of the study available for publication at the conference.

At the conference, Samsung Medison will also introduce an upgraded version of “5D CNS (Central Nervous System)+,” a convenient feature for fetal brain examination.

A positive reception is anticipated at the conference due to its automatic provision of nine essential cross-sections of the fetal brain, including the coronal and sagittal planes and six measurements necessary for diagnosis – head circumference and diameter, with high accuracy.

Other features such as SonoSync, which specializes in remote consulting and training, and S-Hub, an IT solution for hospital resource management, will be on display to medical professionals from around the world.

Samsung Medison will hold symposia on “Obstetrics” and “Gynecology” on October 17 and 18, respectively, to present research findings on the clinical utility of features that help diagnose the heart and brain of a fetus and endometriosis.

During the “Fetal Therapy and Telesonography” session in the “Obstetrics” symposium, Dr. Ruben Quintero from The Fetal Institute in the United States will present a case where SonoSync, a real-time ultrasound image-sharing solution with remote control ability, saved the life of a mother and her newborn in a case of misdiagnosed fetal distress.

In the “Gynecology” symposium, Professor Tom Bourne from Imperial College, U.K., will present his research on ovarian tumors using CrystalVue and MV-Flow features.

“Samsung is continuously developing AI technologies that improve diagnostic efficiency so that doctors can focus more on patient care,” said Jinyong Lee, Head of the AI Vision Group at Samsung Medison. “We are continually striving to develop technologies that can be utilized in the field of obstetrics and gynecology to contribute to improving maternal and fetal health.”

The conference, which is held for the first time in South Korea, is also the first offline event since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Samsung Medison is participating as the main sponsor and engaging in various academic activities, including the Samsung-ISUOG webinars and the Pre-Congress.

▲ ISUOG Industry Webinar schedule

For more information on Samsung’s Healthcare division, its subsidiaries and products please visit www.samsunghealthcare.com.