This research investigated whether AI-guided handheld ultrasound can help diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in primary care. Through a systematic review, a clinical study involving 565 patients, and stakeholder interviews, the research found promising results but highlighted challenges involving image quality, accountability, and integration into NHS healthcare systems.

This 3MT® presentation describes how artificial intelligence can help non-specialist clinicians diagnose deep vein thrombosis using AI-guided handheld ultrasound devices. By enabling faster point-of-care diagnosis in GP surgeries, the project aims to reduce hospital referrals, improve accessibility for vulnerable patients, and help healthcare systems manage increasing clinical demand more efficiently.

This research improves photoacoustic imaging, a technique that uses light-generated sound waves to visualize tissue oxygenation deep inside the body. By calibrating measurements using highly oxygenated arterial blood, the method overcomes longstanding accuracy limitations and avoids skin-tone bias, potentially improving early tumor detection and non-invasive monitoring of tissue health.