Superb Micro-vascular Imaging (SMI)
Seeing the unseen
SMI is a technology that expands the range of visible blood flow and provides visualization of low microvascular flow never seen before with ultrasound. By enabling detailed visualization of vascular flow signals, SMI supports users during their clinical decision-making processes, reducing routine use of invasive methods.
Three modes of SMI
Evolution of SMI
SMI is an innovative ultrasound technology introduced in 2014.
In 2017, “iSMI” was introduced, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple signals to maintain both noise reduction and high frame rates, even when the ROI is expanded. In 2021, the technology evolved into “SMI Generation 4,” which extended the flow velocity range from low to high speed flows. This advancement enabled high velocity motion artifacts to be reduced and expanded the application of SMI to include the visualization of high velocity blood flow.
In 2025, SMI achieved further progress in visualizing low-velocity blood flow, marking a new stage in its development and expanding its clinical potential.
SMI Angio mode
Seeing the unseen – in finer detail
Building on SMI, Aplio’s new SMI Angio mode delivers superior blood flow visualization, offering finer detail and enhanced separation of flow in small, closely adjacent vessels, supporting more accurate assessment and increased diagnostic confidence in a wide range of use cases.
Features
Enhanced visualization of blood flow
SMI Angio mode improves the visualization of blood flow in small vessels by providing finer delineation of individual small vessels.
Increased blood flow sensitivity
By incorporating statistical analysis across frame transitions and adjusting observation timing, SMI Angio mode enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in improved sensitivity to blood flow.
Preservation of core SMI capabilities
SMI Angio mode is built on the core capabilities of SMI, such as the ability to detect low velocity blood flow while maintaining high frame rates and without the use of a contrast agent.
Clinical Images
SMI proves to be useful in many clinical applications and anatomical regions.
SMI
SMI Angio mode
Education and Resources
White Paper
Prof. Jiro Hata
"Seeing the unseen" Never stops!- What you can REALLY see by SMI Angio mode
A. Sciarrone, S. Bastonero, A. Pertusio, I. Dusini, E. Fornaciari
Fetal cardiac examinations in the first trimester: The diagnostic role of Superb Micro-vascular Imaging (SMI)
Giuliana Beneduce, Floriana Mascilini, Antonia Carla Testa, Francesca Moro
Role of ultrasound examination in gynecology oncology: Standard applications and innovative techniques
Mahtab Zamani, MD; Karolina Skagen, MD, PhD, postdoc; David Russell, MD, Prof.; Mona Skjelland, MD, Prof.
Carotid plaque neovascularization detected with Superb Micro-vascular Imaging (SMI) ultrasound without using contrast media
Interview report and Case study
Makoto Wada, MD, PhD
Applications of diagnostic ultrasound systems in the field of orthopaedics
Akihiro Narita, MD, PhD
Norifumi Sawamukai, MD, PhD
Clinical value of Superb Micro-vascular Imaging and ultra-high frequency linear transducer in musculoskeletal ultrasound:
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