Diagnostic ultrasound is quickly expanding to all markets across all countries because of it is so safe and incredibly useful in diagnosis of common problems across a wide variety of applications. In many developing markets the midrange portable ultrasound represents the best option because it allows a single unit to be shared easily by multiple doctors in multiple rooms or locations. Many private practice physicians in more develop nations are acquiring a midrange portable ultrasound machine as a second, backup system able to travel to a second office, or provide scans during peak times when both machines will be utilized at once. A midrange portable ultrasound machine emphasizes image quality and workflow efficiencies to allow quick diagnosis in the majority of common scans. To reduce the price and keep the form factor light, many features are limited or removed, however with the 3 options recommended here there is still a deep, if narrowly specialized feature set. GE is able to keep feature sets deep by narrowing them by application. The GE Voluson i is the most advanced 4D OB/GYN, women’s health portable ultrasound machine available in the world but it’s GI and Cardiovascular abilities are limited or nonexistent. The Voluson-i’s 2D and 4D image quality is excellent. The GE Vivid i is perhaps the most well known cardiovascular portable ultrasound in the midrange segment because it still offers a tremendous amount of cardiac features and transducers in a midrange priced portable package. It’s 2D, Doppler and CW image quality are good to excellent. The Samsung HM70A offers a blended approach with good 4D for OB/GYN and good cardiac imaging but a smaller set of features and transducers for both. The HM70A also offers a lower price though the quality and reliability of this Samsung portable ultrasound are on par with GE’s portables.
What to expect from a midrange portable ultrasound machine:
- Good to excellent 2D, Doppler or 4D image quality
- Lighter units with longer lasting batteries have the advantage
- Up-to-date system architecture
- A larger selection of transducers without single crystal options
- Compact size makes it perfect for the operating room or small exam rooms
- Image optimization and auto measurement save time & decrease fatigue
- Automation & simple workflow is important for “punkability” in a portable
- 15″ LCD monitor
- Speckle reduction and image compounding increase image quality
- Auto image optimization
- Full measurement and reporting packages for supported applications
- Laptop sized proportions
- A single probe port
- Available mobility cart