The global market for Portable Ultrasound Equipment is projected to reach US$2.6 billion by the year 2027, trailing a post COVID-19 CAGR of 6.3% over the analysis period 2020 through 2027. Portable ultrasound represents a form of medical ultrasonography which uses light and small-sized devices unlike the console type ultrasound machine, its predecessor. Portable ultrasound devices relate to medical imaging devices which employ ultrasound for visualization of internal organs, tendons, and muscles and for diagnosis of various illnesses. These devices have advanced significantly with time, with the present devices gaining popularity due to their small size, light weight, and durability. They offer good quality and high resolution images at a considerably lesser cost, in comparison to traditional ultrasound devices. These devices also support in quicker interventions and improved monitoring in acute events. In remote or rural locations, which have a dearth of resources and manpower, portable ultrasound devices are considered to be beneficial, as they facilitate better treatment due to their capability to transfer images to central locations. Ultrasound continues to be one of the most compelling and extensively used medical imaging modality for the healthcare community owing to its comprehensive range of advantages in the field of radiology, emergency medicine and critical care.

The method is non-invasive, repeatable and affordable as well as is quick to perform, can be performed at the bedside, and avoids patient exposure to ionizing radiations. The COVID-19 has underscored the significance of ultrasound in the healthcare arena. POCUS is being increasingly utilized as a tool for diagnosis and triaging of patients, specifically those in temporary medical facilities without such imaging equipment in place. By assessing oxygen levels and lung scans, care providers can ascertain the patients that require hospitalization and those that can be quarantine in hoe settings. The triage involving use of portable ultrasounds for COVID-19 testing was for the first time used in Norther Italy and subsequently finding use in other areas as well. The portable nature of ultrasound systems eliminates the requirement to move COVID-19 patients for medical imaging, which considerably reduces contamination risk. In addition, Lung Ultrasound (LUS) is perceived as an effective medical imaging modality as COVID-19 primarily targets the respiratory system of infected people. Medical practitioners are also leveraging the technique for diagnosing and monitoring other conditions related to the heart, airways and abdomen, making ultrasound an indispensable modality during COVID-19. The technique has done a commendable job during earlier outbreaks such as Ebola, allowing medical professionals to deliver patient care while reducing spread of the infection. LUS along with computed tomography (CT) and plain chest radiography (CXR) is widely used in hospitals for chest imaging, which requires imaging modalities that are reproducible, reliable and quick. In addition, the perfect modality needs to deliver high specificity and sensitivity while ensuring the procedure at the bedside. Studies on chest radiographs of COVID-19 patients have revealed that CT along with LUS offers superior sensitivity than CXR, resulting in enhanced diagnosis.

Thoracic CT imaging is the most suitable screening option to detect COVID-19 as it offers better performance than PCR, allowing timely detection, containment and management of patients. On the other hand, CT holds limited availability and is associated with decontamination issues. In addition, moving patients for CT holds the risk of spreading the infection. These issues are driving various healthcare facilities to embrace LUS to assess COVID-19 infection. The method is affordable, portable and allows clinicians to perform the process at the bedside. In addition, the direct association of COVID-19 with the respiratory system makes LUS a perfect option to diagnose respiratory and other conditions like acute cardiomyopathy, pneumothorax, acute pulmonary embolism, pleural effusions and superadded or secondary infection. LUS reduces the reliance on CT, enhances risk stratification and allows clinicians to maintain isolation protocols to mitigate the containment risk. LUS can be effectively used for initial diagnosis of the COVID-19 infection, assessing severity and managing the disease. LUS also offers an effective and non-invasive technique for monitoring extravascular lung water in COVID-19 patients to assess the requirement of diuretic therapy. Moreover, LUS can be used with echocardiographic to measure stroke volume along with fluid responsiveness for diagnostic accuracy as well as supporting the fluid therapy.