Overview
The Butterfly iQ3 is the third generation of Butterfly Network's groundbreaking single-chip whole-body ultrasound platform. Launched in 2023, iQ3 builds on the semiconductor ultrasound-on-chip (USOC™) architecture that made the original iQ the world's first handheld whole-body ultrasound transducer to use a single silicon chip — replacing the hundreds of piezoelectric crystals in conventional probes.
The iQ3 connects to a smartphone or tablet via USB-C and uses AI-guided acquisition (Butterfly Blueprints™) to coach clinicians through standardized scanning protocols, automatically identifying anatomy, suggesting probe placement, and flagging abnormalities for physician review.
At under $2,000 per device (vs. $30,000–$300,000 for cart-based systems), Butterfly is democratizing ultrasound at the point of care — from emergency departments to rural clinics in low-resource settings.
Key Technology
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Ultrasound-on-Chip (USOC™)
Single CMOS semiconductor chip replaces thousands of piezoelectric elements. Enables the full probe to be manufactured at wafer scale with dramatically lower cost.
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Butterfly Blueprints™ AI
Real-time AI guidance overlays on the live image, coaching the user to correct probe position and automatically capturing standard views for each protocol.
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USB-C Smartphone Connectivity
Plugs directly into any iOS or Android device. No base station, no cart. The user's phone provides the processing, display, and storage.
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Cloud + PACS Integration
Butterfly Cloud stores all studies with HIPAA-compliant encryption. HL7/DICOM compatible for integration with hospital PACS and EHR systems.
Clinical Applications
FAST Exam (Trauma)
Cardiac (Echo)
Lung / Pleural
Vascular Access
OB/GYN
MSK
Abdominal
Nerve Blocks
Thyroid
The iQ3 is cleared for whole-body use across all major imaging indications. Emergency medicine, critical care, and primary care represent the largest current adoption segments.
Product Evolution
2018
iQ: World's first single-chip whole-body ultrasound — FDA 510(k) cleared
2021
iQ+: Improved image quality, wireless connectivity, USB-C
2023
iQ3: 3rd-gen chip, enhanced depth, Blueprints AI, 30% better resolution
2025
Enterprise deployments in 60+ countries; remote expert teleconsultation launched