HeartFocus Link brings AI cardiac imaging to any hospital ultrasound machine

At a glance:

• DESKi's HeartFocus Link is an FDA-cleared AI-guided cardiac imaging tool that connects to any cart-based ultrasound system via tablet and HDMI
• Previously limited to Butterfly Network handheld devices, it now targets the 92% of hospitalized patients without echocardiography due to sonographer shortages
• Features include real-time 3D probe guidance for 10 standard transthoracic views, Auto Record, and quality scoring for training environments

Breaking down the technology

HeartFocus Link represents a strategic shift for DESKi's AI-powered cardiac imaging platform. Until now, the software was exclusively available on Butterfly Network's handheld ultrasound devices, which restricted adoption to institutions that had already invested in those specific probes. By adopting an HDMI-based approach, the new product works with the cart-based ultrasound machines that hospitals and training programmes already own, dramatically expanding its potential reach.

The tablet runs HeartFocus's AI guidance software alongside the live ultrasound image, delivering real-time probe positioning instructions that help clinicians and trainees capture diagnostic-quality cardiac views. A patented 3D guidance system superimposes these positioning instructions directly onto the live ultrasound image, reducing cognitive load by keeping users focused on a single screen rather than switching between reference guides and ultrasound monitors.

Two features specifically target training environments. Auto Record captures image clips automatically when predefined quality thresholds are met, eliminating the manual step of saving frames during practice sessions. A real-time quality scoring system provides immediate feedback, giving trainees an objective measure of image quality instead of relying solely on instructor assessment.

The sonographer shortage crisis

The need for AI-assisted cardiac imaging has become urgent due to a critical workforce gap. Between 2011 and 2021, demand for ultrasound examinations in the US surged 55%, from 38.6 million to 59.8 million, while the sonographer workforce grew by only 44%. Educational capacity expanded by just 23% over the same period, meaning the pipeline of new sonographers is not keeping pace with retirements, let alone rising demand.

The consequences are measurable. Echocardiography is performed on only 8% of eligible hospitalised patients, despite clinical evidence that it reduces mortality and improves patient outcomes. Sonographer vacancy rates reached 16.7% in 2023 before improving slightly to 12.4% in 2025. AI-guided imaging tools like HeartFocus aim to bridge this gap by enabling non-specialist clinicians to capture usable cardiac images after hours of training rather than months.

Research presented at the American College of Cardiology conference demonstrated that novice users working with HeartFocus achieved greater than 85% agreement with expert assessment of echocardiographic parameters, suggesting the technology can significantly democratize cardiac imaging capabilities.

Company background and regulatory momentum

DESKi was founded in 2016 by brothers Bertrand and Olivier Moal. Bertrand serves as CEO and brings medical expertise as a doctor with a PhD in biomechanical engineering. Olivier holds engineering degrees from Berkeley and EPFL and contributes technical leadership to the company, which is headquartered in Bordeaux.

The company raised a $6 million seed round in mid-2025 led by Racine², an impact fund managed by Serena and Makesense, with participation from BNP Paribas Développement. HeartFocus received FDA clearance in April 2025, along with a Predetermined Change Control Plan that allows DESKi to update the software's AI algorithms without requiring full regulatory review for each iteration.

The company's algorithms are trained on more than 10 million data points, and DESKi is one of a cluster of French health-tech startups building AI tools that have found early traction in the US market. In April 2026, HeartFocus partnered with Inteleos, a global healthcare certification body, to launch the first AI cardiac point-of-care ultrasound certification, giving clinicians and institutions a way to demonstrate verified competency in AI-assisted cardiac imaging.

Market positioning and technical trade-offs

HeartFocus is not the only company pursuing AI-guided cardiac ultrasound. UltraSight, an Israeli startup, has also received FDA clearance to expand AI-guided echocardiography across ultrasound systems. The broader health-tech market is seeing rapid convergence between AI software, sensor hardware, and clinical workflows, with companies from various sectors competing for clinician adoption.

HeartFocus Link's HDMI-based approach is pragmatic but carries inherent limitations. It provides AI guidance as an overlay rather than integrating directly into the ultrasound system's software stack, which means it cannot access or process the raw ultrasound data stream. This limits the depth of analysis the AI can perform compared to a fully integrated solution.

DESKi's $6 million in funding is also modest relative to the scale of the problem it addresses. Competing against larger medical imaging companies with deeper distribution networks will require either significant commercial traction or a strategic partnership with one of the major ultrasound manufacturers. The Butterfly Network relationship provides a foothold, but like other clinical AI startups navigating the gap between FDA clearance and widespread adoption, DESKi's challenge is converting regulatory approval into sustained revenue.

Looking ahead

The launch of HeartFocus Link positions DESKi to capitalize on the growing intersection of AI and cardiac imaging. With FDA clearance secured and training partnerships in place, the company is well-positioned to demonstrate clinical value in real-world settings. However, scaling beyond early adopters will depend on proving measurable improvements in patient outcomes and workflow efficiency while building the distribution channels necessary to reach the broad market of cart-based ultrasound systems already deployed in hospitals worldwide.