SuperSonic Imagine Deploys PTC’s ThingWorx to Remotely Monitor and Service Medical Imaging Devices

PTC has announced that SuperSonic Imagine, a company developing ultrasound medical imaging devices, has deployed PTC’s ThingWorx Industrial IoT Platform for the remote monitoring and service of its patient diagnostic devices.
 
Founded in 2005 and based in Aix-en-Provence, France, SuperSonic Imagine manufactures the flagship Aixplorer series, ultrasound platforms, which feature the exclusive UltraFast technology. UltraFast has given rise to new imaging modes, such as ShearWave Elastography (SWE), which allows users to view and measure tissue stiffness in real-time on a color map, setting the standards of care for non-invasive characterization of breast, liver, and prostate diseases.
 
Last fall, SuperSonic Imagine unveiled the smart, connected Aixplorer MACH 30, its first product supported by ThingWorx. Using SuperSonic Imagine’s unique technology, the Aixplorer MACH 30 includes a new generation of UltraFast imaging, a technology that enables acquisition rates 200 times faster than conventional ultrasound systems with innovative modes to enhance diagnostic performance. Aixplorer MACH 30 also features a new concept in ultrasound, the revolutionary SonicPad, designed to enhance the user’s intuitive control of the functions needed during an examination, improving both user comfort and exam efficiency. ThingWorx will enable remote monitoring of the Aixplorer MACH 30 devices in the field to maximize uptime, increase the stability of the platform, and avoid patient care disruptions.
 
“We are renowned as innovators who constantly deliver groundbreaking diagnostic imaging modes,” said Jacques Souquet, director of innovation, SuperSonic Imagine. “Our mission is for SuperSonic Imagine technology to become the industry standard in non-invasive care for breast and liver diseases. With the support of ThingWorx, we first ensure the highest level of security for customer data protection and improve our reactivity to provide better customer service. Our ultrasound platform will now provide remote automated monitoring of our systems in the field for better service to our customers and their patients. Thanks to the rapid development allowed by ThingWorx we will soon be able to provide additional online services to our customers.”
 
Purpose-built for industrial environments, ThingWorx is a complete, end-to-end technology platform that delivers the functionality, flexibility, and agility needed to develop, deploy, and extend IoT applications and augmented reality (AR) experiences. The award-winning platform contains a broad set of features, including multiple connectivity options, application development tools, analytics, and AR. With ThingWorx, industrial businesses can create scalable and secure solutions that provide high levels of return on investment.
 
“ThingWorx will enable Supersonic Imagine to significantly improve machine reliability,” said Iain Michel, general manager, Smart Connected Products, PTC. “We look forward to supporting this innovative leader to achieve its goal of becoming the industry-standard supplier of diagnostic technology and improving the clinical and patient experience.”
 
SuperSonic Imagine specializes in ultrasound medical imaging. The company manufactures the flagship Aixplorer series of products, which feature the exclusive UltraFast technology. UltraFast has given rise to new imaging modes that set the standards of care for non-invasive characterization of breast, liver and prostate diseases. The first groundbreaking UltraFast mode developed is ShearWave Elastography (SWE), which enables doctors to view and instantly analyze tissue stiffness, a vitally important factor in the diagnosis of many conditions. To date, more than 600 published articles have validated the diagnostic value its technologies.
 
The most recent addition to the Aixplorer range is the Aixplorer MACH 30 ultrasound platform that introduces the next generation of UltraFast imaging, which optimizes the system’s innovative imaging modes: ShearWave PLUS, Doppler UltraFast, Angio PL.U.S, and TriVu. The company has more than 2,000 ultrasound systems installed in over 80 countries. Its main growth markets are China, the United States and the European Union (France). The company generated a turnover of 24.7 million euros in 2017, representing annual growth of 11 percent.

PTC helps companies around the world reinvent the way they design, manufacture, operate, and service products in and for a smart, connected world. In 1986 the company revolutionized digital 3D design, and in 1998 it was first to market with Internet-based product lifecycle management. Today, PTC’s industrial innovation platform and solutions enable customers to unlock value at the convergence of the physical and digital worlds. With PTC, manufacturers and an ecosystem of partners and developers can capitalize on the promise of the Internet of Things and augmented reality technology today and drive the future of innovation.