Consumer Sonography Scanners
This week the Annual Consumer Electronics Show (see: http://www.cesweb.org/default.asp ) is taking place in Sin City--Las Vegas. Opening remarks at the show included comments by Bill Gates (who else?) and the CEO of Yahoo.com Jerry Yang. Mr. Gates indicated that the next digital age will concentrate on "connecting people" and used the popularity of Xbox Live as an example of what we can expect to see in the next few years.
Based on my quick review, some of the latest gizmos being offered include the predictable advances in existing products like wireless Wii controllers, and a cell phone that allows you to not only shoot but also edit videos, as well as new toys like a robotic gutter cleaner and a talking BBQ grill thermometer.
When I first heard about the CES I couldn't help but wonder how long it will be until "consumer grade" sonography scanners will be part of the offerings. After all, lay people already can buy hand-held Doppler devices (as well as grayscale scanners if you find the right vendor) from internet sites and I've heard of some expectant mothers spending hours with the devices listening to their unborn baby's heart beat (unknowingly subjecting said fetus to much more acoustic energy than would ever be recommended). These same doting moms will be the first to point fingers at diagnostic sonography should something terrible happen like their baby is born deaf or, gasp--left handed! (In case you haven't heard, there was a report a few years ago that linked ultrasound exposure of the fetus with a greater incidence of left-handedness in male babies).
Anyway---I wish I could visit the 2008 CES, if for no other reason than to convince myself that there isn't a pocket scanner being demonstrated by some gorgeous model with a perpetual smile spread across her flawless face (or Tom Cruise look-alike) touting "Look how easy it is--anybody can do it!" It's probably only a matter of time...