The Butterfly IQ is an ultra-portable handheld ultrasound that can connect to a smartphone
to display and record real-time ultrasound images.
There are only 2 hardware pieces: the butterfly IQ and a smartphone.
You simply plug it into your smartphone (in this case, an iPhone) and open the Butterfly
IQ app which can be downloaded for free.
Once the app is opened, you are ready to start performing an ultrasound exam as per routine
with a dab of jelly.
There are a variety of presets to automatically adjust settings for optimal images based on
body part being examined.
In this case, as an ENT clinician, I have selected the soft tissue preset.
The ultrasound images obtained are quite amazing especially considering all the technology
is bundled right into the handheld body itself.
The ultrasound image depth can be adjusted by swiping up and down.
The ultrasound gain can be adjusted by swiping side to side.
Double-Tapping can quickly zoom into and out of the image.
Color doppler can be obtained via the mode button in the bottom right corner.
In doppler mode, the region of interest box size can be adjusted by dragging the borders.
Doppler gain can be adjusted by swiping side to side.
Video can be recorded and saved by tapping the video icon at the bottom.
Once the anatomic feature of interest is identified, a still image can be frozen and measured right
from the smartphone app.
Surface area can also be obtained and recorded.
All recorded images can also be annotated and saved to the cloud where it can be retrieved
and viewed from any computer.
The cloud storage is HIPAA compliant.
Once the examination is completed, the app can be closed and the device disconnected.
Saved images can be texted or emailed to others by pasting a link after being deidentified
as shown here.
The Butterfly iQ cloud can also be accessed through a desktop computer.
The Butterfly IQ is powered by an internal rechargeable battery.
The battery can be recharged wirelessly with the supplied charging pad.
With a full charge, more than 2 continuous hours of scanning can be achieved.
For more information, please read the description box.