GE HealthCare enhances Venue ultrasound with AI nerve block tool
GE HealthCare has introduced significant enhancements to its Venue family of point-of-care ultrasound systems, centred on a new AI-enabled feature designed to improve peripheral nerve block procedures in anaesthesiology and pain management settings.
AI tool achieves high anatomical accuracy
The flagship addition, Nerveblox, automatically labels anatomical landmarks in ultrasound images with 97% anatomical structure identification accuracy. The AI-enabled tool supports 12 of the most common regional anaesthesia procedures, providing colour-coded visualisation of target areas in under one second.
“Nerveblox immediately impressed me. It provides a clear, colourful image of the target area in less than a second for multiple nerve blocks,” said Dr Olivier Choquet from Montpellier University Hospital in France. “I tested it with different approaches, and its performance should be excellent in helping the practitioner locate key anatomical structures before inserting the needle.”
The enhancement extends across the entire Venue portfolio, including Venue, Venue Go, Venue Fit, and Venue Sprint systems, addressing the growing use of ultrasound guidance in anaesthesia procedures where precision and patient safety are paramount.
Expanded imaging capabilities for diverse clinical settings
Beyond anaesthesia applications, the updated systems incorporate several AI-enabled and digital tools spanning multiple clinical domains. Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound enables dynamic bedside evaluation of abdominal injuries and lesions, whilst Auto Bladder Volume simplifies urinary bladder volume measurement from two views, reducing procedural steps. The latter feature is now available on the wireless Vscan Air CL probe compatible with Venue family systems.
For cardiac assessments, Automated Function Imaging provides objective analysis of myocardial strain across heart chambers, complementing the existing Caption Guidance AI-enabled software that offers turn-by-turn, on-screen guidance for capturing diagnostic-quality cardiac ultrasound images.
Point-of-care ultrasound evolution continues
“Our ultrasound portfolio is continuously evolving to meet the dynamic needs of clinicians, and we’re committed to driving innovation that makes our solutions more versatile, adaptable, and impactful,” said Karley Yoder, CEO of Comprehensive Care Ultrasound, Advanced Visualisation Solutions at GE HealthCare. “With the latest Venue family systems, we’re proud to add new tools that enhance the use of POCUS in anaesthesiology and pain management and enhance other tools and features that empower clinicians across all experience levels to deliver confident care anytime, anywhere.”
The enhanced systems are designed to support faster clinical decision-making using real-time imaging across emergency, critical care, anaesthesia, and other clinical settings, where ultrasound guidance increasingly informs both diagnostic and procedural interventions.
The latest Venue family ultrasound systems are US FDA cleared and CE marked for the European Union, with availability in other markets where regulatory approval has been granted.
- For more information, visit: https://www.gehealthcare.com/products/ultrasound/venue-family/venue-family-innovation
