On the Front Line of Rehabilitation in Europe

Hercres and SonoAir Bring Portable Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Closer to Care

At Hercres Rehabilitation Center in Madrid, a portable ultrasound machine helps trained professionals bring diagnostic imaging from the treatment room to the training floor, supporting more flexible musculoskeletal assessment across varied rehabilitation settings.

Rehabilitation assessment at Hercres in Madrid, Spain.

From the Treatment Room to the Training Floor

At the Hercres rehabilitation centers in Madrid, Spain, a physical therapist's day can feel like a relay. Across three centers and a diverse service portfolio, the team works with professional athletes, people living with chronic pain, and children undergoing rehabilitation. From musculoskeletal follow-up in the treatment room to movement assessment on the training floor, clinicians frequently move between different areas.

For rehabilitation professionals, one of the greatest challenges is often not developing a treatment plan, but managing location and time. Musculoskeletal injuries can be subtle, and some findings are better assessed when imaging is combined with movement. This makes dynamic musculoskeletal ultrasound particularly relevant in rehabilitation workflows.

Why Mobility and Time Matter in Rehabilitation Imaging

With conventional cart-based ultrasound systems, imaging is generally performed in a dedicated examination room. Patients who are already in pain may need to move between areas, while therapists may otherwise have to rely on palpation and clinical assessment without immediate access to imaging.

Time during the scan matters as well. For a patient with severe pain or joint swelling, prolonged probe contact or repeated pressure over a sensitive area can increase discomfort. Manual image optimization, probe alignment, and measurements can also add steps to the examination. In more complex musculoskeletal, nerve, or vascular assessments, changing transducers may interrupt the workflow.

Without a flexible imaging tool, diagnostic-quality information may not be available where the rehabilitation assessment is taking place. A portable ultrasound device can help bring imaging closer to the patient and support a more responsive workflow.

A 2.1 kg Portable Ultrasound System for Flexible Workflows

When the laptop-style SonoAir arrived at Hercres, the team gained a more mobile option. Weighing approximately 2.1 kg, the system can be carried between treatment rooms, follow-up areas, and training spaces much like a laptop. This portability allows imaging to move with the clinician rather than remain tied to one examination room.

SonoAir offers up to 180 minutes of battery operation and four transducer ports. In workflows that involve superficial musculoskeletal, nerve, or blood-flow scanning, having several transducers connected can reduce cable changes and help the team move more smoothly between examination types.

CHISON SonoAir portable ultrasound system with multiple transducer options.

Smarter Operation, Less Time Under the Probe

Powered by the SonoAI intelligent platform, SonoAir provides one-touch image optimization and intelligent anatomical structure recognition. Supported automated measurements can reduce manual steps and help trained users focus more attention on image acquisition and clinical interpretation.

Faster image setup and anatomical localization may also reduce repeated scanning over a swollen or painful area. For patients who find it difficult to maintain a position, a more efficient examination can contribute to a gentler overall experience.

SonoMSK anatomical recognition displayed on the SonoAir interface.

A Choice Shaped by Real-World Rehabilitation Needs

Across Europe, musculoskeletal ultrasound practice is supported by structured professional guidance covering extra-articular and intra-articular conditions, pediatric applications, and ultrasound-guided procedures. Within this mature clinical environment, intelligent imaging systems from China are entering specific, real-world rehabilitation settings and contributing new options for efficient and precise assessment.

At Hercres, portable ultrasound supports movement between rooms and brings point of care ultrasound closer to the rehabilitation setting. The aim is not to replace professional judgment, but to make useful imaging information more accessible at the moment it is needed.

Starting from the front line of rehabilitation in Madrid, CHISON will continue to advance intelligent and lightweight imaging technology. The goal is to help high-quality ultrasound reach more care settings worldwide, support efficient professional decisions, and make medical imaging more accessible.

SonoAir at Hercres Rehabilitation Center in Madrid.