GE HealthCare announced a new about $35 million expansion to a previous contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

This jointly funded expanded agreement builds on the program announced in October 2023. It reflects continued momentum to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-powered ultrasound solutions and new platforms to support trauma assessment and preparedness for mass casualty incidents.

“Responding to a mass casualty incident demands speed, precision and access to care, especially in high-pressure environments like emergency departments, field hospitals, and medical transport,” said Philip Rackliffe, President and CEO, Advanced Visualization Solutions, GE HealthCare. “Our strategic alignment with BARDA enables us to continue to drive ultrasound innovation through advanced AI tools and specialized hardware designed for the front lines of care.”

The agreement’s expanded clinical scope will facilitate development of new AI-powered tools engineered to boost diagnostic speed and reduce operator dependency, even for non-expert users. The new automated capabilities will be designed to support more detailed evaluations of lung pathologies, including pleural pathologies, an improve detection of intra-abdominal injuries.

GE HealthCare will also create point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) solutions to improve reliability and usability in demanding environments like field-based care settings.

“GE HealthCare has long been at the forefront of ultrasound innovation in emergency medicine, especially at the point-of-care,” said Karley Yoder, CEO, Comprehensive Care Ultrasound, Advanced Visualization Solutions, GE HealthCare. “This milestone reflects our shared aspiration to equip clinicians with tools that enhance decision-making and help improve patient outcomes in even the most challenging scenarios.”

The expanded program also enables new efforts to engage with clinicians and medical evaluation sites. These activities will help generate clinical evidence, inform ongoing development, and ensure the technology is shaped by real-world feedback.