GE Healthcare Japan Launches New AI-Integrated Venue™ Ultrasound Series for Point of Care Use

Overview

On April 22, 2026, GE Healthcare Japan officially launched the latest versions of its Venue™ ultrasound series. This upgrade includes the Venue™, Venue Go™, and Venue Fit™ models, which now incorporate advanced AI functionalities. These devices are designed for Point of Care (POC)* ultrasound examinations across critical medical fields such as emergency response, intensive care, and surgery. The integration of AI aims to alleviate the workload for healthcare professionals while improving the efficiency of ultrasound examinations. High-quality imaging and intuitive operation remain key features, supporting the delivery of top-notch medical evaluations.

Key Features and Innovations

1. AI Tool: Nerveblox

The Nerveblox tool, developed using advanced AI, provides real-time recognition and highlighting of key anatomical structures around twelve standard nerve block sites used in regional anesthesia. This innovative tool enhances the user's ability to accurately identify and visualize nerves, muscles, vessels, bones, and fascia, utilizing features such as:

- Quality Meter: Evaluates the quality of the imaging in real-time, offering color-coded feedback.
- Orientation Guidance: Assists in proper probe alignment with orientation displays.
- Color Overlay: Distinctions are made with color-coding for different types of tissue, enhancing visibility.
- Anatomical Labels: These are provided as abbreviations on-screen, assisting in quick identification of structures.
- Diagrammatic Guide: Suggests the optimal placement for the probe, supporting operators regardless of their echo experience levels.

The result is an increased recognition of anatomical structures in various medical specialties, thereby facilitating smoother procedural judgments and interventions.

2. AI Tool: Auto Bladder Volume

The Auto Bladder Volume tool represents a significant leap in bladder assessment. With this semi-automated tool, the volume of the bladder can be measured quickly, thanks to AI's ability to identify the bladder shape from both transverse and longitudinal imaging. This advancement not only promises high reproducibility but also streamlines the assessment process in settings such as emergency rooms and intensive care units.

3. AI Tool: Automated Function Imaging (AFI)

The AFI tool uses 2D speckle tracking technology to visualize and automatically track the movement of cardiac walls, allowing for quantitative analysis of cardiac function. This feature, previously limited to high-performance cardiology devices, has made its way into the POC ultrasound domain, providing opportunities for easy and precise evaluations of heart function in various medical scenarios.

GE Healthcare Japan

Founded in 1982, GE Healthcare Japan has grown into a pivotal branch of GE Healthcare, focusing on delivering comprehensive care solutions that span prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of health conditions. The company is dedicated to using intelligent devices, data analytics, software, and services to tackle healthcare challenges in Japan. With approximately 1,500 employees and numerous service locations across the country, GE Healthcare Japan remains committed to meeting the needs of healthcare professionals and contributing to the resolution of pressing medical issues. For more information, visit www.gehealthcare.com.