Exploring Midjourney’s Medical Scanner: Unanswered Questions Remain

Midjourney has unveiled more details about its innovative medical scanner, though it still hasn’t provided substantial evidence of its functionality. The AI company, primarily recognized for its image generation capabilities, shared a behind-the-scenes video showcasing its dunk-tank ultrasound scanner. This device is intended for use in spas and aims to revolutionize medicine with affordable, detailed, and radiation-free imaging. The nearly 20-minute video features tech YouTuber Marcin Plaza, who is also an engineer at the company.

Plaza candidly describes the scanner as a collection of ultrasound probes “hacked apart and slapped on a glorified hot tub with an elevator in it,” all linked to standard computers and Raspberry Pis. While the video highlights the hardware and the team behind it, it largely sidesteps the physics and imaging challenges that experts raised when Midjourney first introduced the concept.

Experts have pointed out that Midjourney has yet to demonstrate its ability to overcome the established limitations of ultrasound technology, which has been in use for decades, or to produce the detailed images it claims at the promised scale and speed. The company has clarified that the scanner will initially be marketed as a wellness product focused on body composition, rather than a diagnostic medical device, which would necessitate FDA approval and clinical trials. In the video, Tom Calloway, the head of medical, reiterated that this focus would allow the company to “speedrun” the launch once testing is complete. However, the video still heavily employs medical terminology, pondering the potential benefits for physicians with access to frequent scans over time.

Calloway appeared unconcerned about any potential misunderstandings, stating, “I don’t think there’s anything to really clarify,” and promised regular blog updates on their progress. CEO David Holz added that the absence of investors grants the company the freedom to pursue the scanner’s development, asserting, “No one can tell me not to do it.”