GE HealthCare Expands $35M BARDA Contract to Develop AI-Powered Trauma Ultrasound

Why It Matters

By automating critical imaging interpretation, the solution could dramatically improve emergency outcomes and expand GE's foothold in the growing AI‑driven medical device market.

Key Takeaways

• $35M BARDA expansion funds AI trauma ultrasound.
• AI automates lung and abdominal injury detection.
• Designed for non‑expert use in mass‑casualty settings.
• Rugged point‑of‑care hardware for disaster environments.
• Reduces operator dependency, speeds triage decisions.

Pulse Analysis

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has long funded technologies that address national health security gaps, and its $35 million boost to GE HealthCare underscores the urgency of rapid diagnostics in disaster scenarios. As climate‑related events and geopolitical conflicts increase the frequency of mass‑casualty incidents, portable imaging that can be deployed without specialist support becomes a strategic asset for both government and humanitarian responders. GE’s partnership with BARDA positions the company at the intersection of public‑health preparedness and commercial innovation, opening pathways for future contracts and reimbursement models.

At the core of the initiative are AI algorithms trained on vast datasets of lung and abdominal scans, enabling real‑time identification of pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and internal bleeding. By embedding these models directly into handheld ultrasound probes, the system delivers actionable insights within seconds, allowing medics, nurses, or even trained volunteers to make informed triage decisions. This shift reduces operator dependency, shortens diagnostic timelines, and aligns with emerging point‑of‑care (POC) standards that prioritize speed, accuracy, and ease of use in austere environments.

For GE HealthCare, the project represents a strategic expansion beyond traditional imaging markets into AI‑enhanced emergency care. Successful deployment could accelerate adoption of similar AI‑driven diagnostics across other specialties, driving recurring revenue from software licensing and service contracts. Moreover, demonstrating efficacy in field conditions may streamline regulatory clearance, positioning GE as a leader in the next generation of intelligent medical devices that blend rugged hardware with cloud‑connected analytics.

GE HealthCare Expands $35M BARDA Contract to Develop AI-Powered Trauma Ultrasound

By Jasmine Pennic · February 17 2026

What You Should Know

• The Deal: GE HealthCare has secured a $35 million expansion to its contract with BARDA (the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, part of HHS). The funding is a cost‑share arrangement to accelerate the development of AI‑powered ultrasound technology.

• The Mission: The goal is to create “mass casualty”‑ready tools—ultrasound devices that can be used by non‑experts in high‑pressure environments such as field hospitals and disaster zones.

• The Tech: The new AI tools will automate the detection of lung pathologies and intra‑abdominal injuries (internal bleeding), allowing for rapid triage when seconds count and specialists aren’t available.

The “Non‑Expert” User

The core innovation isn’t just better image quality; it’s automated interpretation. The expanded scope of the agreement focuses on creating tools that reduce “operator dependency.” In plain English, this means a medic, a nurse, or a generalist doctor could pick up the probe, and the AI would help them spot life‑threatening issues that usually require years of training to identify.

The new algorithms will target two critical areas of trauma assessment:

1. Lung Pathologies: Detecting collapsed lungs or fluid buildup.

2. Intra‑Abdominal Injuries: Spotting internal bleeding or organ damage.

Beyond the software, the contract also covers the hardware. The goal is to create point‑of‑care (POCUS) solutions that improve “reliability and usability in demanding environments.” When the “hospital” is a tent in a parking lot or a field medical unit, the gear needs to be rugged, intuitive, and fast.

“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.”