HeartFocus, an AI-enabled heart echo software by medtech firm DESKi, announced the launch of the HeartFocus education app in partnership with digital ultrasound company Butterfly Network.

The HealthFocus app aims to raise a health practitioner's ability to master ten vital cardiac views with certainty and clinical accuracy over a short period via customized and self-paced AI-powered learning. 

According to the company, Healthcare professionals, medical schools, clinics and health systems can access the HeartFocus Education app using Butterfly iQ3 and iQ+ probes that work with iOS iPads. 

For a brief time, end users can sign up by using DESKi’s customer portal to claim a free six-month license for the app. It is available across the U.S. and in 22 other countries.

"The AI-powered heart scan is tomorrow’s stethoscope, and the HeartFocus Education app helps place the tools in all healthcare professionals' hands," Bertrand Moal, CEO of DESKi, said in a statement. 

"We’ve designed an education platform that makes life-saving echoes simple to master, and we’re proud to partner with Butterfly Network to bring it to as many healthcare professionals or educators as possible."

Darius Shahida, chief strategy officer at Butterfly Network, said that HeartFocus is set to make a big impact in cardiac care and that Butterfly Network is "thrilled" to partner with DESKi on what he called a pioneering education platform.

"By combining our cutting-edge ultrasound technology with HeartFocus’ AI-powered training, we’re breaking down barriers to cardiac care, empowering more practitioners to learn how to deliver critical diagnostics on the spot," Shahida said in a statement.

THE LARGER TREND

In June, HeartFocus joined Butterfly Garden, an AI marketplace launched by Butterfly Network. HeartFocus integrated and, through subsequent agreements, released its patented, AI-powered software with Butterfly’s single-probe, whole-body handheld ultrasound system. 

In August, Butterfly Network reported Q2 2024 revenue of $21.5 million, a 16% YoY growth, net loss of $15.7 million, a 45% reduction compared to $28.7 million in the same period last year. 

Operating expenses were noted to be $29.8 million, down 29% from $42.2 million in Q2 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $8.1 million, compared to $17.0 million in the same quarter last year.

In March, Butterfly Network achieved EU MDR certification for its Butterfly IQ+ ultrasound system, allowing the company to release its offerings into the European market, including its AI-enabled Auto B-Line Counter and Pulse Wave Doppler (PWD) software. 

Auto B line Counter utilizes AI to help providers consider patient abnormalities by measuring B-lines. B-lines appear as bright lines on an ultrasound and are affiliated with conditions like COPD. 

In 2023, the Butterfly Network announced a five-year co-development collaboration with Forest Neurotech to develop a whole-brain neural interface utilizing Butterfly's Ultrasound-on-Chip technology. The five-year co-development agreement included a $20 million payment to Butterfly, which consists of an annual licensing fee, milestone payments and chip purchases.