FAQ - HeartFocus Link
General Questions
HeartFocus Link is a software application that adds AI-guided cardiac ultrasound training to any cart-based ultrasound system. It runs on an iPad connected to your existing machine via HDMI, with no system modification required.
Any health care professional. With just a short onboarding, nurses, physician assistants, and any medical doctor (general practitioners, emergency doctors , …) can start capturing diagnostic-quality cardiac views. Training will be provided by the DESKi team.
In principle, any cart-based ultrasound system with a video output (HDMI or DisplayPort) should be compatible with HeartFocus Link. However, we have not tested the app on every system available on the market. If you're unsure about your specific system, contact DESKi via our contact form and we'll help you evaluate compatibility.
HeartFocus supports 10 standard transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) views, including Parasternal Long Axis (PLAX), Apical 4-Chamber (A4C), Subcostal IVC (SC-IVC), and others.
Live guidance. Auto-record. AI-validated quality. No cloud dependency. HeartFocus Link mimics how a trained sonographer scans — giving real-time guidance, detecting optimal image quality, and automatically saving the best clips.
Unlike the HeartFocus app, HeartFocus Link plugs directly into your existing cart-based ultrasound system via a single HDMI cable. No system modification, fully local processing, no added latency. It's built to support hands-on training and image acquisition practice on the hardware your institution already has, rather than requiring new equipment.
You can see HeartFocus Link in action via online quick guide tutorial videos.
HeartFocus Link is sold as a single license per iPad device. Usage is unlimited for each license (and no login is needed to start scanning). Contact our team via our contact form to discuss your needs and get a personalized quote.
HeartFocus and HeartFocus Link are different products within the HeartFocus ecosystem, built for different use cases and hardware.
HeartFocus is our FDA-cleared clinical app, used for diagnostic cardiac imaging with patients. It runs on iPad and iPhone with Butterfly iQ+ and iQ3 ultrasound probes, and is licensed per probe.
HeartFocus Link brings the same AI-guided real-time feedback to cart-based ultrasound systems already in use in hospitals and training environments. It is intended to support education, training, and image acquisition practice only — not for diagnostic use, clinical decision-making, or treatment guidance — and is licensed per iPad device.
Request a demo from our team via our contact form.
We will get back to you to walk you through the setup and activation process.
HeartFocus Portal allows you to buy and manage your HeartFocus licenses.
Note: the Portal currently supports HeartFocus licenses only. HeartFocus Link licenses are not purchased or managed through the Portal — contact our team via our contact form for Link licensing and quotes.
No. HeartFocus Link is intended for education, training, and research only. It is not intended for clinical use or for diagnosis and treatment decisions. The app includes clear in-app disclaimers communicating its non-clinical nature. No FDA or CE regulatory submission is currently planned.
Average exam time for a first-time novice user was 20 minutes — for a full 10-view protocol.
Accessibility and Compatibility
HeartFocus Link is currently available in France and the United States.
Setting up HeartFocus Link requires a few external components in addition to your existing ultrasound cart: an HDMI cable (or DisplayPort adapter depending on your machine), a video capture card, and an iPad adapter. We recommend using a USB 3.0 video capture card for optimal performance.
Most cart-based systems support HDMI output. Some systems use a different port — for example, Philips uses DisplayPort — in which case a simple adapter is required. If you're unsure about your system's output, contact DESKi via our contact form and we'll help you identify the right setup.
HeartFocus Link app is compatible with iPad devices running Apple iOS 18.0 or newer.
It is not compatible with beta versions of iOS.
Here, the list of compatible iPads:
- iPad® (10th, and 11th generation)
- iPad® Air (4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th generation)
- iPad® Mini (6th and 7th generation)
- iPad® Pro (11-inch) (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation)
- iPad® Pro (12.9-inch) (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation)
- iPad® Pro (13-inch) (1st and 2nd generation)
No, HeartFocus Link is only compatible with the iPad®.
No, HeartFocus Link is a mobile app that works off your iPad® and in connection with your cart-based ultrasound system.
Yes. Once you've set up HeartFocus Link on a specific ultrasound machine, the app saves the configuration automatically. You can switch between different machines without having to reconfigure everything each time.
HeartFocus Link works in B-mode only. Any other display configuration — such as measurements, color Doppler, or tissue Doppler — must be disabled before using Link. The AI guidance will only function correctly when the ultrasound system is set to B-mode.
No. Scanning and AI guidance work entirely offline. Internet access is only needed:
- To install/update the app
- To activate the license on the device
- To verify the license every 30 days
- To send scans to a DICOM PACS system
To activate a license on your iPad:
- Download the application HeartFocus Link on the appStore.
- A DESKi team member provides you with an activation code.
- On first launch, enter this code.
- Done — your license is now active on the application.
Note: the activation code is valid for 72 hours. If it isn't entered within that window, contact the team to request a new code.
HeartFocus Link - Scanning Experience
HeartFocus Link gives real-time visual cues — showing how to tilt, translate, or rotate the probe to reach a diagnostic-quality view. When image quality is high enough, the software auto-records the best clip.
Yes. In addition to Auto-Record and Best-Effort Record, users can trigger Manual Record and choose whether to save the clip.
The AI was trained on over 1 million labeled images. In the clinical trial, 99.7% of auto-recorded clips were rated diagnostic by expert cardiologists.
Yes, HeartFocus Link can store views collected and includes DICOM export for exam sharing.
No, HeartFocus Link does not currently include the Doppler feature. But please sign up for the newsletter on www.heartfocus.ai to be notified of new product launches.
No, HeartFocus Link does not currently include the Ejection Fraction feature. But please sign up for the newsletter on www.heartfocus.ai to be notified of new product launches.
No, and that's a core value proposition of Link. HeartFocus Link is specifically designed to help non-experts develop cardiac ultrasound skills independently. The real-time AI guidance, probe positioning support, and standardized 10-view workflow allow learners at any level to build confidence and competency without requiring expert supervision or prior experience.
Data & Security
Scans are stored locally on the iPad. No data is sent to DESKi servers. Scans can be sent securely via DICOM to a PACS by the end user. HeartFocus Link includes audit logs and complies with HIPAA and TLS encryption best practices, as well as GDPR.
Yes. But deletion is permanent. We recommend deleting only after exams are successfully sent to PACS.
HeartFocus Link connects to the ultrasound system via HDMI — a unidirectional video input with no data link back to the ultrasound device. All AI processing runs locally on the iPad; no subject data is transmitted from the app. Because the connection is video-only and non-networked, HeartFocus Link does not create a bidirectional data pathway to the cart. Standard institutional policies for managing iPads (e.g., MDM, network segmentation) apply as with any tablet in an educational or clinical environment.
Troubleshooting
- Ensure the probe is properly placed and facing the heart
- Adjust the depth or gain if needed
- Reposition for better intercostal windows
- Refer to the chest UI to orient yourself
- Confirm WiFi or cellular connection
- Check DICOM server settings
- Contact your IT team if issues persist
Contact for Support
You can simply email us to support@deski.ai
Please specify with your inquiry and if you have an account on our HeartFocus Customer Portal, please state the email you used for your account creation.