GE Healthcare's Vivid iq Ultrasound System Launches to International Space Station

Oct 05, 2025 16:56 CST Updated 16:56

GE Healthcare

Digital Solution Provider

Source: Medical Device Innovation Network

Recently,GE Healthcare’s Vivid iq Ultrasound System Has Been Sent to the International Space Station (ISS).Vivid iq Replaces GE HealthCare's Older Ultrasound System on the International Space Station and Will Be Used for Astronaut Health Assessments and Research to Improve Patient Health on Earth and in Space.

Vivid iq, as the flagship portable ultrasound diagnostic system of GE Healthcare, was independently developed by GE's Wuxi factory in China. It inherits the profound technical foundation of GE Vivid™ and incorporates more innovative echocardiography technology. With excellent ergonomic design, powerful cardiac clinical applications, good whole-body applications, and intelligent operational processes, the Vivid iq sets a new standard for breakthroughs in patient diagnosis quality, surgical quality, and efficiency. Whether at the bedside, in the operating room, during telemedicine, or mobile services, the Vivid iq delivers superior image performance and comprehensive clinical applications.

Vivid iq includes imaging functions and quantification tools for examining body systems such as cardiovascular, abdominal, and musculoskeletal health. The system, with a form factor similar to a laptop, is an upgraded version of GE Healthcare's Vivid q, which was launched to the International Space Station in 2011.

The system from this American imaging giant, carried aboard SpaceX's resupply spacecraft, arrived at the International Space Station on September 18. It will play a crucial role in the health evaluation of all astronauts and will also be used for space research investigations focused on physical analysis, such as venous blood flow and cardiac function during long-term space missions.

The flight research in the Vivid iq program will be led by NASA's Human Research Program. GE Healthcare stated that the ultrasound research conducted on the International Space Station will focus on improving astronauts' health conditions in space. The evaluation study aims to establish health measures and diagnostic protocols for spaceflight, while also exploring ways to enhance scanning capabilities and procedures to benefit patients on Earth.

Philip Rackliffe, President and CEO of GE Healthcare’s Advanced Visualization Solutions, said: “The journey of Vivid iq to the International Space Station marks more than just a technological milestone.

"This is a bold affirmation of our vision to make confident clinical decisions in the most extreme environments through precise, portable, and purposeful technology."

GE Healthcare's Vivid iq is not the first medical device to enter the International Space Station. As part of NASA's support for advancements in space manufacturing technology, a research proposal by Auxilium Biotechnologies was approved by NASA in April 2022. This means the U.S.-based company can initiate a proof-of-concept demonstration of its 3D bioprinter on the International Space Station.

Auxilium's technology demonstration took place in February 2025, during which the company's Auxilium Microfabrication Platform (AMP-1) bioprinter simultaneously constructed eight implantable medical devices for peripheral nerve repair on the International Space Station within two hours.

Despite still being in its infancy, NASA is confident in the manufacturing of medical devices in space, believing that it has broad development prospects. The weightless environment in space offers opportunities to carry out manufacturing tasks that are extremely complex or even potentially impossible to achieve on Earth.

GE Healthcare, a global leading medical technology company formerly under General Electric and spun off as an independent entity in 2023, specializes in medical imaging, ultrasound, patient monitoring, and pharmaceutical diagnostics equipment. The company employs approximately 7,000 people in China and reported revenue of $2.4 billion in 2024 (a 15% decrease year-on-year), primarily impacted by healthcare anti-corruption measures and tariffs. Recent reports from Bloomberg indicate that GE Healthcare is evaluating the potential sale of its equity in China, with an estimated valuation in the billions of dollars, though no final decision has been made. GE Healthcare’s operations in China include high-end equipment such as CT and MRI, where it competes with local enterprises.

Disclaimer: The articles published on this WeChat platform that are cited from other sources are reprinted for sharing purposes only and do not represent the position of the platform. If there are any copyright or other issues, please contact us as soon as possible, and we will make corrections immediately.