US firm to launch ai-powered portable ultrasound in Bangladesh, targeting healthcare transformation
In a leap for digital health innovation in South Asia, US-based medical technology company Exo Imaging Inc. is set to launch its AI-powered portable ultrasound device in Bangladesh, marking the first Asian market rollout for the FDA-cleared technology.
The announcement was made during a high-level meeting in Dhaka between Exo’s leadership and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, where the company outlined its strategy to partner with leading hospitals and expand into rural healthcare networks across the country.
Co-founded by Bangladeshi-origin medical technology expert Yusuf Haque, who serves as Chief Technology Officer, and CEO Sandeep Akkaraju, Exo is positioning its handheld ultrasound device as a "next-generation stethoscope" compact, affordable, and enhanced with artificial intelligence to support real-time diagnostics at the point of care.
“This device is designed to bring hospital-grade imaging directly to patients, whether in urban clinics or remote villages,” Haque said. “We’re not just selling a product. We’re enabling a shift in how healthcare is delivered in resource-constrained settings.”
The device uses advanced AI algorithms to assist clinicians in detecting a range of critical conditions, including heart disease, tuberculosis, lung infections, thyroid abnormalities, breast cancer, and high-risk pregnancies. Its portability and ease of use make it ideal for frontline health workers, especially in areas with limited access to radiologists or diagnostic infrastructure.
Bangladesh is the first country in Asia to adopt the technology, which is currently available only in the United States under US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance. Exo plans to expand to Mexico and select Latin American markets later this year.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus welcomed the initiative, calling it a transformative step toward achieving universal health coverage. “This sounds like science fiction, but it’s real,” Yunus said. “When diagnosis is delayed, treatment delays and patients suffer. With AI and portable devices like this, we can bring diagnostics to the doorstep, drastically cutting waiting times and improving outcomes.”
The launch aligns with Bangladesh’s growing focus on health tech innovation and digital transformation in public health. According to Omar Ishrak, board member at Exo and former Chairman of Intel Corporation, the device addresses a critical global gap: nearly 80% of the world’s population lacks access to basic imaging services.
“This is a game-changer,” Ishrak said. “For chronic conditions like breast cancer, frequent monitoring is essential. With this device, screenings can be done locally, affordably, and with AI-backed precision, turning every healthcare worker into a more capable diagnostician.”
Exo is also developing a cloud-based software platform to complement the device, enabling automated patient triaging, follow-up reminders, and secure data sharing between providers effectively creating an integrated telemedicine ecosystem.
“This isn’t just about imaging — it’s the next stage of connected care,” Akkaraju said. “We’re building tools that help providers manage patient flow, prioritise critical cases, and deliver continuous care beyond the clinic.”
The pilot rollout will begin in top private and public hospitals in Dhaka and Chittagong, with plans to scale into community clinics and upazila health complexes in partnership with the Ministry of Health and development agencies.
Present at the meeting were key government and investment officials, including Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Sayedur Rahman, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, and Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed underscoring the government’s strategic interest in health tech partnerships.
With healthcare digitisation gaining momentum in Bangladesh, Exo’s entry signals growing investor and innovator confidence in the country’s potential as a hub for scalable, inclusive medical technology solutions.