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As of 2025, the authority for physical therapists (PTs) to order diagnostic imaging varies across the United States. Some states have explicitly granted PTs the right to refer patients for imaging studies, such as X-rays and MRIs, through statutes, regulations, or licensure board policies. For instance, Iowa has conferred full imaging referral privileges to PTs, allowing them to order imaging studies, including MRIs. In contrast, many states have laws that are silent on this issue, neither explicitly permitting nor prohibiting PTs from ordering imaging.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has been actively advocating for the expansion of PTs' imaging referral rights. In 2024, APTA chapters achieved significant legislative victories in states like Arizona, Louisiana, and Tennessee, where new laws expanded PTs' authority to order imaging beyond musculoskeletal plain film radiographs to include all imaging modalities. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to enhance patient access to timely and appropriate imaging services.
Obtaining access to X-ray and MRI imaging might not yet be approved in your state. However, there are tools available to allow you to get a better perspective beneath the surface. A handheld musculoskeletal device such as Clarius, allows you the convenience of portability and freedom to scan everywhere.
Introducing the Clarius HD3 L15 Handheld Ultrasound
The Clarius HD3 L15 handheld ultrasound scanner is a state-of-the-art, wireless imaging device designed to provide high-resolution ultrasound capabilities directly at the point of care. Its compact, cable-free design enhances portability and ease of use, making it ideal for various clinical settings.
This device delivers exceptional image quality of superficial structures, including nerves, vessels, and musculoskeletal anatomy up to 7 cm in depth. This clarity is achieved through advanced technology featuring eight beamformers and 192 piezoelectric elements, ensuring precise diagnostics and procedural guidance.
Key Features
- Wireless and Portable: The Clarius HD3 L15 is completely wireless, eliminating the need for cords and allowing for easy mobility. Its compact design makes it suitable for various clinical environments.
- Advanced Imaging Technology: Equipped with eight beamformers and 192 piezoelectric elements, the device provides high-definition imaging, ideal for visualizing superficial structures up to 7 cm deep.
- AI-Powered App: The Clarius app, compatible with iOS and Android devices, utilizes artificial intelligence to simplify workflows with features like voice controls and automated imaging presets.
- Unlimited Cloud Storage: With Clarius Cloud, clinicians have access to unlimited cloud storage, facilitating secure exam management and easy sharing of images and reports.
The Clarius HD3 L15 handheld ultrasound scanner offers a comprehensive suite of imaging modes and software features, designed to enhance diagnostic accuracy and streamline clinical workflows.
Imaging Modes
The Clarius HD3 L15 supports a variety of imaging modes to cater to diverse clinical needs:
- B-Mode: Provides standard grayscale imaging for structural assessment.
- M-Mode: Captures motion over time, useful for cardiac and fetal assessments.
- Color and Power Doppler: Visualizes blood flow within vessels, aiding in vascular evaluations.
- Pulsed-Wave Doppler: Measures the velocity of blood flow, essential for detecting abnormalities like stenosis.
- Needle Enhance: Enhances needle visibility during procedures such as biopsies and injections.
- Elastography: Assesses tissue stiffness, valuable in evaluating conditions like liver fibrosis.
- Spatial Compounding: Improves image quality by combining multiple frames from different angles.
These modes are accessible through the Clarius app, providing clinicians with versatile imaging capabilities in a portable format.
AI Powered Software Features
The Clarius HD3 L15 integrates advanced software features to optimize imaging and facilitate clinical procedures:
- Auto Preset AI: Automatically selects the optimal imaging preset based on the scanned anatomy, streamlining the scanning process.
- MSK AI: Assists in musculoskeletal imaging by identifying and labeling anatomical structures, enhancing diagnostic confidence.
- Voice Controls: Allows hands-free operation, enabling clinicians to adjust settings without interrupting the procedure.
- Clarius Cloud: Offers secure, unlimited storage for exams, facilitating easy access and sharing of imaging data.
These software features are designed to enhance the user experience, improve diagnostic accuracy, and support efficient clinical workflows.
By combining a range of imaging modes with intelligent software features, the Clarius HD3 L15 provides clinicians with a powerful tool for point-of-care ultrasound imaging.
Clinical Applications
- Musculoskeletal Assessments: Ideal for evaluating muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints to assess for injuries, inflammation, or abnormalities.
- Pain Management and Guided Injections: Provides clinicians with the tools needed for accurate assessments and interventions, supporting procedures like ultrasound-guided injections and nerve blocks.
- Vascular Access Procedures: Assists in identifying suitable veins or arteries, visualizing the depth and direction of vessels, and guiding needle insertion for successful vascular access.
- Aesthetic Treatments: Supports procedures such as filler placement and fat grafting with enhanced safety and efficiency.
By combining portability, advanced imaging, and intuitive operation, the Clarius HD3 L15 stands out as a valuable asset in modern medical practice. Its high-definition imaging supports various procedures with enhanced safety and efficiency, making it a trusted tool for clinicians seeking efficient and accurate diagnostic support at the bedside or in the field.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
References
- American Physical Therapy Association. (2022). State advocacy for imaging referral by physical therapists. Retrieved from https://www.orthopt.org/uploads/content_files
- American Physical Therapy Association. (2024, August 30). APTA chapters fuel state-level wins in 2024. Retrieved from https://www.apta.org/article
- Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. (n.d.). State acts and regulations on imaging referral in physical therapist practice. Retrieved from https://www.orthopt.org/content/special-interest-groups
- Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. (n.d.). Imaging Special Interest Group (I-SIG). Retrieved from https://www.orthopt.org/content/special-interest-groups/imaging
This article was written with the help of AI.
