GE shrinks ultrasound tool

       The future of ultrasound technology, as interpreted by General Electric Co, looks a bit like a flip phone crossed with an iPod.
       GE chief executive Jeff Immelt unveiled a handheld ultrasound machine at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco on Tuesday called the Vscan, saying it could become the "stethoscope of the 21st century."
       The device folds open clamshell-style to reveal a small screen on the top half and a circular button pad on the bottom.A small attached wand can be used to generate a non-invasive scan of a patient's organs or of a fetus.
       The Vscan is aimed in part at primary care doctors, who could use it instead of sending patients to get an ultrasound at a specialist's office. It could also be used by doctors in remote regions without access to hospital equipment.
       Immelt said that the device, which will be available sometime next year,would be "very digitally capable" but that it would not have Wi-Fi access to wirelessly transmit ultrasound images.
       The cost of the device is unknown.During the summit, Immelt declined to elaborate on the possibility that Fairfield, Connecticut-based GE will sell a stake in its NBC Universal entertainment division to cable TV operator Comcast Corp or any other company.
       He said that GE "is comfortable" with the division."