Samsung HERA Z20 Ultrasound System — Overview
The HERA Z20 (often just “Z20”) is Samsung Medison’s premium ultrasound system designed specifically for women’s health (OB/GYN, fertility, gynecology). Its goal is to pair high imaging quality with AI-assisted workflow improvements to address challenges like exam speed, consistency, operator dependency, and imaging in diverse patient types.
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Key Technologies & Architecture
These are the foundational technologies that enable the Z20’s high imaging performance and AI features:
Technology What It Does / How It Works
Crystal Architecture (2nd Gen) Combines Samsung’s advanced imaging engine, including CrystalBeam™, CrystalLive™, and S-Vue transducers. Enhancements in noise reduction, spatial resolution, contrast resolution, and improved penetration (especially helpful in patients with higher BMI).
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Enhanced Signal Processing & Beamforming Optimized beamforming algorithms and upgraded processing reduce artifacts and improve clarity in challenging imaging situations (deep tissues, shadowing).
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Ergonomics & Design 27-inch main monitor; adjustable touch panel; height-adjustable control console; lightweight, well-balanced transducers; compact, mobile chassis with electronic brakes and wheel locks. MyHERA user profiles (personalized settings) to reduce setup time.
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AI / Automation Features
Z20 includes several AI powered tools to assist clinicians in routine and advanced OB/GYN exams. Here's what they do:
Feature Function / Benefit
Live ViewAssist™ Deep-learning tool that: <ul><li>Automatically recognizes OB/GYN views (e.g. standard fetal-anatomic planes).</li><li>Annotates structures and produces measurements in real time.</li><li>Reduces the number of keystrokes by up to ~94%.
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EzStructure™ One-button tool to optimize 2D image settings specifically for fetal anatomy—it adjusts parameters to highlight structures more clearly.
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EzFlow™ One-button optimization for color Doppler / PW Doppler settings—helps quickly get good vessel flow visualization without manual tuning.
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EzVolume™ An AI-driven 3D/volume feature: automatically segments fetal structures in 3D to help with spatial understanding (how different parts relate anatomically).
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PortraitVue™ 3D rendering tool for fetal face: improves rendering of fetal face and restores or improves parts that are blurry or obscured, to improve the visualization. Note: intended more for parental counseling / visualization than for diagnosis.
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MyHERA™ Personalized user settings (logins) so each user can have preferred presets, layout, image settings, transducer control etc., to reduce setup time and errors.
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Live Q-Scan Real-time noise reduction during scanning, to improve image uniformity.
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A-Focus™ Provides clearer image quality at all depths by optimizing focal settings automatically.
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Imaging Modes & Specialty Applications
Although Z20 is optimized for women’s health, many of its features support broader imaging and assist in achieving quality across specialties. Below are the relevant modes and how they serve each specialty.
Specialty / Application Relevant Imaging Modes / Features & Use
OB / Fetal Medicine 2D imaging with enhanced clarity; 3D/4D imaging (volume scan, EzVolume, PortraitVue); automatic measurements via Live ViewAssist; view recognition for standard fetal anatomy; tools to handle difficult imaging (e.g., with high BMI patients) with optimized beamforming and signal processing.
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Gynecology & Fertility Endocavity transducers; ability to image ovarian follicles (volume tools); uterine contour / structure clarity via EzStructure; workflow speed via MyHERA; color / Doppler flow for vascularity of ovaries etc.
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Breast / Small Parts (to a limited extent) High-resolution transducers; color Doppler optimization (EzFlow) for vascular assessment; good 2D structural detail due to advanced beamforming / focus features; though Y20’s focus is women’s health rather than being a multi-use imaging/workstation for all small parts or full MSK.
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Other (General Imaging / Vascular / Cardiac) The official intended use covers multiple applications per the FDA summary—fetal/obstetrics, abdominal, pediatric, small organ, neonatal cephalic, adult cephalic, trans-vaginal/-rectal, MSK, urology, cardiac adult & pediatric, thoracic, and peripheral vessels. Modes include 2D, Color Doppler, Power Doppler, M-Mode, PW (Pulsed-Wave) and CW Doppler, tissue Dopplers, ElastoScan, MV-Flow, 3D/4D.
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Performance and Workflow Impacts
These are the practical effects / strengths that Z20 delivers in clinical use, especially because of its AI / ergonomics.
Substantial reduction in manual steps: Up to ~94% fewer keystrokes in OB exams thanks to Live ViewAssist and other automation features. This saves time, reduces fatigue and chances for error.
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View recognition and measurement automation: Automatically identifying standard anatomical planes, labeling structures, and computing measurements reduces operator dependence and helps with consistency across users and over time.
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Good imaging even in difficult patients: Z20’s enhanced beamforming, high sensitivity probes, etc. help when imaging deep or when body habitus is challenging (e.g., high BMI).
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Ergonomics for user comfort: MyHERA profiles, adjustable panels, lightweight transducers, thoughtful cart design. Minimizes physical strain in long scanning sessions.
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FDA Clearance & Intended Use
According to FDA documentation and the Product Code details:
The Z20 is cleared under FDA 510(k) # K241971.
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Intended for broad clinical applications including but not limited to obstetrics/fetal, gynecology, abdominal, pediatric, small organ, neonatal cephalic, adult cephalic, trans-vaginal, trans-rectal, MSK, urology, adult/pediatric cardiac, thoracic, and peripheral vessels.
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Supports multiple imaging modes: 2D, Color Doppler, Power Doppler, M-Mode, Pulsed and Continuous Wave Doppler, Tissue Doppler Imaging / Tissue Doppler Wave, ElastoScan, MV-Flow, Multi-Image, 3D/4D.
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Strengths & Considerations
Strengths:
AI-Assisted Workflow ‒ reduces manual work, streamlines exams, especially in OB/GYN.
High-quality imaging in diverse patients ‒ improved imaging in challenging situations (deep tissue, high BMI) due to upgraded architecture.
User comfort & ergonomics ‒ less fatigue, more efficiency, customizable user settings.
Versatile clinical coverage ‒ while optimized for OB/GYN, cleared for many other applications, making it more flexible in multi-specialty clinics.
Considerations:
Some of the advanced 3D or “face rendering” features (e.g. PortraitVue) are more for visualization / patient experience rather than diagnostic necessity.
As with many premium systems, many features may be optional / require specific transducers or licenses; verifying local configuration and cost is important.
Although it supports many applications beyond OB/GYN, if your clinic is very heavy in, say, advanced cardiac strain imaging or MSK ultrasound, you should confirm those specific feature sets are present and perform to the needed standard.
