GE Healthcare’s Clinical Lead, Reproductive Medicine, Fiona Schwab, talks about how ultrasound innovation tools can help turn your patient’s dream of a successful pregnancy into a reality.

Q: What role does ultrasound play in Assisted Reproductive Technology?

A: GE Healthcare’s Voluson™ ultrasound systems are involved in the entire patient’s reproductive journey. The advanced ultrasound tools are used for early diagnosis of potential challenges and evaluating possible causes of infertility in the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Voluson ultrasound technology also plays a key role in monitoring stimulated follicles, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

Q: What are the benefits of Voluson in reproductive medicine?

A: Voluson systems provide the critical information reproductive specialists need for assessment, IVF and early pregnancy. For example, during the ‘assessment’ phase, Voluson’s advanced 3D technology allows for visualization of the coronal plane helping to locate possible pathologies and evaluate the shape of the uterus. Using SonoAVC™ antral, the physician can assess the antral follicle count efficiently to estimate ovarian reserve. During the IVF stage, SonoAVC™follicle enhances the efficiency and reproducibility of follicular volume measurements to effectively monitor stimulation and determine the optimal time point for oocyte retrieval. And Voluson’s high quality 2D imaging is critical in performing egg retrievals and embryo transfers. Once the embryo has been transferred, Voluson imaging is used to assess whether a viable pregnancy can be seen.

Q: Are most physicians aware of Voluson’s capabilities and what the technology could mean for patients who want to have a baby?

A: Reproductive specialists know how to use ultrasound, but may not be aware of its full potential in the context of reproductive medicine. Many physicians are familiar with our SonoAVC™ technology that is used to measure follicular volumes, but GE offers so much more beyond this tool to help physicians throughout multiple stages of the IVF process.

Q: Timing is so important when it comes to fertility issues, how does Voluson help reproductive specialists and patients make critical decisions, faster?

A: With advanced tools dedicated to the entire patient's journey, Voluson empowers physicians to make more confident and timely diagnoses and treatment plans tailored for each individual patient.

Q: How is GE Healthcare working with physicians and pharmaceuticals to make advancements in assisted reproductive technology?

A: We listen to physicians and work to translate their needs into imaging features that can help enable them to deliver their patients’ dreams to have of a successful pregnancy. We collaborate with physicians by going on site visits to better understand their needs, convene focus groups, attend congresses and support research initiatives.

It is also important to us to understand how we, as GEHC, can offer the best solutions to physicians and patients in reproductive medicine—by not just considering those steps involving ultrasound, but to consider the whole IVF process. We partner with other important players in the field who offer important input and support to clinicians and patients in the IVF process, so that we can help prospective parents achieve a successful pregnancy.