Midjourney, renowned for its AI image generation capabilities, has made a surprising pivot into the medical field with the introduction of Midjourney Medical. This new division is dedicated to medical imaging, and its flagship innovation is a full-body scanner that utilizes AI and ultrasound technology, dubbed “Ultrasonic CT” or, more simply, full-body ultrasound.
The ambition behind this technology is significant: to perform a full-body scan in just 60 seconds, completely free of ionizing radiation and the strong magnetic fields associated with MRI machines. Midjourney states that the system relies solely on sound, water, and extensive computational processing. The company even aims to achieve superior image quality compared to MRI in many aspects, while offering a much faster and more accessible process.
How Midjourney Medical’s Ultrasound Scanner Works
The operational process is quite unique. Users would enter a shallow pool and position themselves on a platform that slowly descends into the water. As the platform lowers, the body passes through a ring of underwater sensors. These sensors emit ultrasonic waves from multiple angles, which penetrate the body. The waves change upon interacting with tissues of varying densities and stiffness, such as skin, fat, muscle, bone, and organs. This data is then used by the system to reconstruct a three-dimensional image of the body’s interior.
Midjourney describes the system as a massive data capture and reconstruction machine. The ring is reportedly composed of approximately half a million tiny elements capable of both emitting and receiving ultrasound waves. Each element sends out waves and records the responses millions of times per second, generating terabytes of information every second. Subsequently, thousands of computers collaboratively process these waves into internal body images.
The company asserts that the outcome would be a 3D map of the body with sub-millimeter precision, visually comparable to an MRI but achieved at a much higher speed. Furthermore, the system goes beyond raw image reconstruction; it also employs AI-driven segmentation to identify internal structures and provide more interpretable body maps.
Introducing the Midjourney Spa
Beyond traditional hospital applications, Midjourney envisions a more wellness-focused and preventative health experience. To this end, they have also announced the Midjourney Spa, their first physical center slated to open in San Francisco by the end of 2027. This facility will integrate the scanning technology with amenities like jacuzzis, saunas, cold plunges, and relaxation rooms, positioning the body scan as a complementary part of a spa-like experience. Midjourney’s vision is to make body scanning a routine, quick, and comfortable process. Instead of undergoing imaging only when a medical concern is suspected, the company foresees a future where individuals can create a visual library of their own bodies, tracking changes over time and observing the effects of diet, exercise, or treatments. This data could then be shared with healthcare professionals, nutritionists, trainers, or AI tools.
Over the next 12 months, Midjourney plans to refine its algorithms, enhance its hardware, and conduct research trials. The company aims to open its first “research spa” by the end of 2027, with plans to expand to more cities in 2028 using a third-generation scanner featuring fully custom silicon. By 2031, Midjourney anticipates deploying over 50,000 scanners globally, capable of performing up to 1 billion scans per month.
The development of this scanner involved collaboration with Butterfly Network, a company specializing in ultrasound-on-chip technology, with each system incorporating 40 Butterfly Ultrasound-on-Chip modules. It is noted that approximately a dozen individuals have been scanned so far, and the system is not yet authorized for diagnostic use. Midjourney’s foray into medicine with Midjourney Medical also represents a significant business strategic move. Previously associated almost exclusively with AI image generation, Midjourney Medical positions the company as a broader entity: a research laboratory capable of integrating hardware, sensors, computational imaging, artificial intelligence, and physical experiences.
