Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Machines Buyer’s Guide
Ultrasound technology, which provides physicians with critical diagnostic information about patients, becomes more advanced every year. Emergency medicine ultrasounds are especially useful, allowing ER and urgent care doctors to diagnose and treat patients as quickly as possible. These devices can be compact and portable or full-sized. Keep reading to learn about the features you can expect with an emergency room ultrasound machine and the best models available.
Ultrasound Machine: | Chison SonoTouch 30 | GE Logiq P9 | SonoSite S-Series |
Ranking | Best tablet-style ultrasound machine for emergency medicine | Best cart-style emergency medicine ultrasound machine | Best mountable ultrasound machine for emergency medicine |
Price Range | $11,000 to $12,500 | $17,500 to $22,000 | $9,000 to $22,000 |
3D/4D Imaging | No | Yes | No |
Monitor Size | 10.4” | 21.5” | 10.1” |
Image Quality | High-definition | High-definition | High-definition |
Controls | Touchscreen | Knobs, buttons, and touchscreen | Knobs, buttons, and trackpad |
Battery Life | 2.5 hours | 1 hour | 2 hours |
Workflow Features: | Compound imaging, intuitive/fast touch controls, customizable control mapping | Footswitch, Scan Assistant, AutoDoppler, Auto Optimization, intuitive/customizable touch controls, four active probe ports | Simple, two controls for depth and gain. Quick adjustments with touchpad, automated functions. |
ER Features: | Fast boot time (less than 30 seconds), portability, 2.5-hour battery life, quick workflow | Four active probe ports allow for quick switching for different scans, quick workflow, easily transport between rooms | Boots in 15 seconds, fast, simple controls, can be wall or ceiling mounted to keep out of the way |
What sets it apart: | Touchscreen, integrated kickstand, easy portability, long battery life, full set of measurement analysis packages | Compatibility with almost every type of scan, four active probe ports to switch quickly, easy to move | Wall, ceiling, or cart mounting. From off to scanning in 15 seconds, easy two controls from depth and gain, specialized for emergency medicine |
Common Features of an Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Machines
ER ultrasound machines often come with needle visualization to help doctors administer anesthesia before emergency procedures. They can also help doctors decide if patients are healthy enough for surgery. Many devices have automatic image optimization for a clearer image that’s easier to interpret, and they can connect to more than one probe at once for excellent versatility. Color Doppler imaging highlights blood flow, letting doctors evaluate circulation and vascularization.
Some devices have a 3D imaging mode that combines images from slightly different angles. They might also have a 4D or live mode that lets ER doctors see how injured joints, muscles, and other body parts move.
The Chison SonoTouch 30
The Chison SonoTouch 30 is the best tablet-style ultrasound machine for emergency medicine, and prices usually range from $11,000 to $12,500. The touch screen comes with intuitive, customizable fast-touch controls, and compound imaging software combines several similar images for a clear view with fewer artifacts. This machine can boot up and start scanning in less than 30 seconds, making it ideal for trauma cases and other emergencies. It only weighs 10 pounds, so it’s easy to transport to patients.
A collapsible stand on the back of the tablet allows you to prop it up on a surface next to the patient while performing a scan. The machine is compatible with linear, convex, microconvex, sector, and endocavity transducers. The Chison SonoTouch 30 is also compatible with DICOM (digital imaging and communications in medicine) image archives often used to keep hospital records. Other standard features include:
- A 10.4-inch HD screen
- A 2.5-hour battery life
- A full set of measurement and analysis packages
- An Ethernet port
- Three USB ports
- Color Doppler imaging
- Pulsed wave Doppler to detect the speed and direction of blood flow
- within a small area such as the chambers of the heart
- M-mode to detect motion from changes in sequences of 2D images
- Needle visualization
- Speckle reduction
- Tissue harmonics for more contrast between tissue types
The Fujifilm SonoSite S-Series
The SonoSite S-Series was the first mountable ultrasound machine in the industry. It usually costs between $9,000 and $22,000. You can attach it to a wall, the ceiling, or a stand for easy access, and you can fold or collapse it inward or adjust it outwards toward the patient. That way, you can keep it in an exam room and avoid wasting valuable time bringing it to a patient from storage.
You can also boot this ultrasound machine up and be ready for scanning in less than 20 seconds. This makes it ideal for emergency medicine, and it lets patients enjoy a quick, streamlined visit. Knobs, buttons, and a trackpad make controlling this ER ultrasound easy, and many functions are automated for a smoother workflow. The S-Series also comes with:
- A 10.1-inch HD monitor
- A two-hour battery life
- Image optimization to adjust for depth
- Two simple controls for depth and gain
- DirectClear technology for better signal penetration and contrast resolution
- Two probe ports
- Three USB ports
- An Ethernet port
- Wireless capability
- Color power Doppler to detect the direction and speed of blood flow
- Tissue harmonics for better differentiation between tissues
- DICOM record-keeping compatibility
- Speckle reduction
- Needle visualization
- Compound imaging
- Pulsed wave Doppler
- M-mode
The GE Logiq P9
The GE Logiq P9 is the best cart-style emergency medicine ultrasound machine. It’s easy to transport from room to room and weighs 132 pounds. Prices usually range from $17,500 to $22,000, and the image quality is excellent. You can control this ultrasound with a 10.4-inch touch screen, a footswitch, knobs, and buttons.
This user-friendly machine lets doctors conduct almost every type of ultrasound scan. Its dynamic range, or the difference between the minimum and maximum signal values, is adjustable for better visibility. With Compare Assistant, you can compare current and past scans to look for changes. You can add an articulated arm for the monitor, a gel warmer, and wireless capability. With this machine, you’ll also get:
- A 21.5-inch HD monitor
- A one-hour battery life
- 3D and 4D imaging
- Imaging depth up to 33 centimeters
- Scan Assistant to shorten exam times by decreasing the number of keystrokes needed and increasing exam accuracy and consistency
- Automatic image optimization (AIO)
- Four probe ports
- Elastography with quantification
- B Steer+ needle visualization
- Panoramic imaging
Additional Options From Strata Imaging
At Strata Imaging, we offer an extensive inventory of these musculoskeletal ultrasound machines and more. You can get a refurbished device or a brand-new model to diagnose and treat patients. Contact us to learn more about the MSK ultrasound machines we have available.
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If you are in need of an affordable option and are looking to save 30-60% over new OEM prices then allow our knowledgeable customer service and expert team to assist you in developing a solution that fits your requirements.
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