One of the main causes of high maternal mortality in developing countries is due to the fact that women live in rural areas where there are no hospitals or clinical facilities in the vicinity of their homes. Not only do these women have minimal access to medical technologies that could assist the birthing process, but they lack access to medical professionals that can adequately interpret the data from these devices.

Detailed description of the solution

This ultrasound diagnosis system is designed so that it can be used in rural areas without trained personnel or electricity. After nurse mid-wives generate ultrasound images by moving the ultrasound wand or transducer over the desired part of the patient's body, this diagnosis system saves all of the obtained information as a short video clip. Special software compresses the data into the size of a photo which can then be sent via a cell phone. The data is received by an ultrasound expert in another country that can interpret the data and then tell the mid-wife how to proceed.

Designed by

• Designed by: Kristen DeStigter from Imaging the World
• Manufacturer (if different):
• Manufacturer location: United States

When and where it was tested/implemented

Uganda

Funding Source

Recipient of Grand Challenges Explorations grant

References