“What is really unique about this,” says Dr Jackie Matthew, sonographer and co-founder of AI ultrasound tool firm Fraiya, “is how involved sonographers have been along the way.”

Jackie, a clinical senior research fellow in the Department of Early Life Imaging at King’s College London, has spent the past decade examining how AI can help – not just in terms of large-scale, cost and time-saving efficiencies, but in the day to day of hospital work. 

Following a 10-year multi-disciplinary study using advanced engineering techniques, robotics and computer image analysis to develop AI applications for improving ultrasound, Jackie found herself at the forefront of a university spin-out focused on the design and development of an AI-enabled ultrasound medical device, which will support sonographers performing the 20-week anomaly scan, given to every pregnant woman. Based on early trial results, Jackie and her team founded Fraiya.

Sonography, like many diagnostic fields in the UK, is struggling with a lack of resources, a lack of training capacity and a fundamental lack of people – which makes it all the more impressive that so many came together to work on Fraiya’s AI ultrasound medical device and service. 

Though the journey hasn’t been easy, Jackie says she has learned a lot along the way. That learning has continued throughout the start-up journey, on the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Fellowship programme and as part of multiple innovation accelerator initiatives. 

Synergy caught up with her to ask about the latest developments and what advice she would give to those looking to follow in her footsteps.

Rapidly evolving tech 

“We’ve had wonderful sonographers who have been involved at different points in time,” says Jackie. These include Emily Skelton, a sonographer on the Ultrasound Advisory Group at the SoR, and Tara Fletcher, a sonographer in the research team, and many sonographers performing image analysis tasks.

“We worked very closely with engineers developing the technical side of the research – they were able to get our input into the realities of scanning in practice,” she continues. “Knowing what the service, patient and sonographer pain points are has been integral to developing what this product is now.”

Jackie still works as a clinical academic at King’s College, but part of her time is now devoted to working as one of the clinical leads, and chief medical officer, at Fraiya. “I work closely with the product and engineering team to develop the product and the offering,” she explains. “I work with key stakeholders, who might be from a fetal medicine background or might be sonographers who give us feedback in terms of usability and input into what they would expect a device like this to offer.”

Jackie is also part of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, which supports healthcare staff to develop the commercial and innovation skills needed to bring new ideas into practice. “It’s been amazing to be part of that cohort,” she says. “The programme isn’t tied to any specific technology, but it’s a great way to build your confidence and capability if you’re exploring innovation or entrepreneurship.”

She’s particularly keen to see more radiographers get involved. “I’ve been promoting this programme for a number of years; if you’ve got ideas or even just curiosity about entrepreneurship, it’s a brilliant place to start. It’s not an easy path, and it’s very different to clinical practice, but it’s exciting. There are so many new roles and routes emerging and, with technology moving so fast, imaging and therapy staff are right at the centre of change.

“For me, research and innovation became a way to make a difference in my field. I’d encourage others, whether early in their career or more experienced, to explore what’s out there. The NIHR and other programmes are investing more than ever in supporting allied health professionals. If you’re interested and willing to step forward, there are real opportunities to grow and contribute.”