Yeah, this sort of thing is making quick inroads in prehospital care (this is far from the first portable ultrasound). Finding veins, FAST[1] scans, assessing the heart more directly during cardiac arrest, etc.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focused_assessment_with_sonogr...

We've been using portable USS machines for years but I suppose what I meant is one I can keep in my pocket and one that doesn't cost $150000.

The GE Vscan has been around for years.

That's interesting. I've not seen that before. Still seems to be far more expensive than what I'm thinking of, though.

I'm looking forward to the day when every junior doctor can have one around their neck like every doctor has a stethoscope.

Why? What gap do you think it fills in the routine assessment?

I'm all for expanding access to US, but I'm very wary of throwing gadgets for the sake of gadgets at doctors...

Patients who need an IVC and have brittle veins and peripheral oedema.

It comes up a lot.

I never said anything about routine assessment.

Sure, I would love a portable ultrasound in the back of my ambulance for that very reason. I still use my stethoscope _way_ more often than I start an IV where US would be handy.

I don't know why you keep putting words into my mouth. I never suggested it would replace a stethoscope.

You said every doctor should have one with them "like a stethoscope". I don't know where you got "replace" from...

My point is that a stethoscope is an essential tool for assessing every patient. An ultrasound is a specialized tool for assessing a very small subset of patients.

I said "can". I don't know where you got "should" from.