The world's first smartphone-based ultrasound imaging system has gone on sale this week, in a move that promises to revolutionise healthcare across the world.

The MobiUS SP1 device (pictured above) is small enough to fit in a pocket and comes with a plug-in wand which healthcare professionals can use to perform ultrasounds on the move.

The compact technology can be used to confirm and check progress of pregnancies, as well as carry out examination of abdomen, aorta, kidneys, gall bladder, thyroid, soft tissues, vascular, implants, foreign bodies and bladder volume.

It is available now for purchase by medical professionals for $7,495 (£4,751) compared to the $300,000 (£190,196) or more price tag of traditional ultrasound machines.

Medical company Mobisante claim the MobiUS SP1 could revolutionise healthcare, particularly in the developing world. Seventy percent of the global population do not currently have access to ultrasound because it is expensive and not portable enough.

As well as being used for monitoring pregnancies, the device can also be used by emergency response doctors to detect internal bleeding or guide IV lines into patients to reduce risk of infection.

First ever ultrasound smartphone