Surgeon builds AI platform to improve heart ultrasound diagnostics

Dr. Daria Baldanova, a cardiovascular surgeon and ultrasound diagnostics specialist, has developed Sono Intelligence, an AI-powered platform for cardiovascular ultrasound diagnostics that combines AI-assisted image interpretation, educational modules, and secure patient data storage. The platform addresses critical gaps in the U.S. healthcare system by leveraging Baldanova’s unique dual perspective as both a surgeon and diagnostician, training AI not just on ultrasound images but on correlations between what’s seen on ultrasound and what’s observed during surgery.

What you should know: Sono Intelligence integrates three critical elements that other platforms typically offer separately—AI diagnostics, educational modules, and clinical data archives.

• The platform’s AI training method uses a “gold standard” approach, learning from correlations between ultrasound findings and actual surgical observations.
• It focuses specifically on rare and complex cardiovascular conditions often overlooked by commercial systems due to limited data.
• The educational component explains why pathologies appear as they do, bridging theory with real surgical observation.

Why this matters: The platform could significantly impact diagnostic accuracy and medical education in a field where ultrasound is one of the most widely used imaging methods in medicine.

• Ultrasound diagnostics affects millions of patients annually across multiple medical specialties from cardiology to obstetrics.
• Early diagnosis enabled by improved ultrasound accuracy can save both healthcare system costs and years of quality life for patients.
• The U.S. market offers developed technological infrastructure and openness to digital healthcare solutions.

The founder’s background: Dr. Baldanova brings rare expertise combining clinical practice, research, and technological innovation.

• She has performed and interpreted thousands of ultrasound examinations over eight years.
• Her experience includes contributions to scientific journals and authoring a monograph on atherosclerosis.
• She currently works as both a cardiovascular surgeon and ultrasound diagnostics specialist.

Market opportunity: The U.S. represents an ideal target market for healthcare innovation with several key advantages.

• The country has developed technological infrastructure and a culture of implementing medical innovations.
• The American healthcare system is open to digital solutions and ready to invest in technologies that improve diagnostic quality.
• Access to venture capital and partnerships with leading medical centers supports startup development.

Future vision: Baldanova predicts significant transformation in ultrasound diagnostics over the next decade.

• Full AI integration will become standard, providing doctors with “second opinion” capabilities for complex cases.
• Portable devices will become ubiquitous, potentially reaching smartphone size for use by general practitioners and in ambulances.
• 3D and 4D visualization will become standard tools combined with personalized medicine for long-term health tracking.

Current gaps: Several barriers need addressing for widespread adoption of advanced ultrasound technology.

• Modern equipment remains expensive and concentrated in large medical centers.
• Data integration across systems is fragmented, with patient history often lost between clinics.
• Healthcare culture still focuses on treatment rather than prevention.

What she’s saying: Baldanova emphasizes the gradual but significant nature of the changes ahead.

• “We will not change everything overnight, but every step toward integrating technology, education, and data brings us closer to a type of medicine that not only treats but also prevents.”
• “If we can increase the accuracy and accessibility of this method, we are affecting millions of patients every year.”