Ultrasound is one of modern medicine’s most versatile diagnostic tools. Today’s machines come with a wide range of features and designs that fit seamlessly into most clinical settings. At the same time, this wide range of choices can further complicate the process of buying an ultrasound machine.

With so many different models and system features to consider, it’s not always easy for medical professionals to find the best fit for their practice.

This article aims to uncomplicate your ultrasound shopping experience by introducing the GE Vivid E9 and comparing it to three other top ultrasound alternatives – the Philips iE33, the Philips EPIQ 5, and the Siemens SC2000 Prime.

We detail each machine’s standout features, clinical strengths and weaknesses, and price-to-performance value to help you determine the best ultrasound machine for your business.

GE Vivid E9 Vs. Similar Models

The GE Vivid E9 is a premium shared-service ultrasound that is highly adaptable to your everyday clinical needs. As a shared service device, the Vivid E9 has a wide range of clinical applications, including:

• Cardiac
• Vascular
• Emergency Medicine
• MSK
• And more

While the GE Vivid E9 provides spectacular imaging performance for most clinical settings, its alternatives are equally impressive in their own right and can’t be overlooked.

The Philips iE33, Philips EPIQ 5, and Siemens SC2000 Prime are all shared service devices with distinct features that may make one option a better fit for your clinic over another.

Continue reading for a comparison of each machine’s unique clinical benefits, pros and cons, price-to-performance value, and more.

GE Vivid E9

The GE Vivid E9 replaces its predecessor, the Vivid 7, with a host of enhancements in image quality and processing power. It is a shared service device that performs particularly well in advanced cardiac cases, making it one of the most highly sought-after machines for top cardiovascular care units.

With advanced cardiac imaging features like 4D Stress Echo and 4D TEE probes, the Vivid E9 provides feature-rich video of the heart and allows clinicians to diagnose abnormalities and blockages with greater accuracy and confidence.

The GE Vivid E9 also has an array of advanced Doppler modes for improved viewing and measurement of blood flow and cardiac function, including:

• Color Doppler
• Power Doppler
• Continuous-wave (CW) Doppler
• Pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler
• Tissue Doppler

Additional cardiological features include Tissue Tracking for enhanced, noninvasive assessment of myocardial deformation; and Tissue Synchronization, allowing clinicians to assess Left Ventricular dyssynchrony.

The GE Vivid E9 ranges between $32,000 and $48,000.

Pros:

• M-Mode and Anatomical M-Mode
• Auto Optimization allows users to automatically optimize image quality at the touch of a button
• Tissue Harmonic Imaging feature that improves image clarity by enhancing edge detection, so patient anatomy is clearly defined
• Auto Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) measurement of anterior and posterior walls for accurate carotid status
• Speckle Reduction feature improves the quality of B-Mode scanning by reducing artifacts
• Strain and Strain Elastography features for optimal assessments of lesioned tissue
• DICOM 3.1 capability allows patient data to be shared across devices
• Compound Imaging feature that combines sonographic information from different angles for improved image detail

Cons:

• No HD Live feature
• No back-up battery

Philips iE33

The Philips iE33 is a premium ultrasound machine with clinical applications for Cardiac, Vascular, and Musculoskeletal. Similar to the GE Vivid E9, the Philips iE33 provides exceptional clinical performance in cardiovascular units.

Among the Philips iE33’s various applications and tools, this ultrasound machine includes 4D TEE compatibility, 3D imaging, and quantitative stress echo. The device is also equipped with multiple doppler modes, including Color Doppler, Power Doppler, CW Doppler, PW Doppler, and Tissue Doppler.

The Philips iE33’s integrated dual touchscreen is a standout feature, providing superior navigation and workflow enhancements. The device also boasts a 4D imaging mode, allowing clinicians to view patient anatomy in live motion with remarkable structural detail.

The Philips iE33 is a great option for medical practices requiring advanced cardiac imaging capabilities at a lower cost than the GE Vivid E9.

The price of the Philips iE33 ranges between $20,000 and $30,000.

Pros:

• PureWave single crystal transducer technology for deeper penetration and better clarity in hard-to-image patients
• Advanced XRES adaptive image processing for improved image resolution and enhanced edge definition
• Four-way articulating arm and fully adjustable control panel for a more comfortable user experience

Cons:

• No HD Live feature
• No B-Flow feature

Philips EPIQ 5

The Philips EPIQ 5 is a premium-level ultrasound machine with clinical applications for Cardiac, OB/GYN, Vascular, Urology, and MSK. It replaces Philips’ older iU22 xMatrix ultrasound machine with several ergonomic improvements, such as a larger touchscreen and 21.5’ LED monitor for an enhanced navigation experience.

The Philips EPIQ 5 also boasts a more compact console design for improved maneuverability and transport between exam rooms.

The device works with single crystal transducers that produce astonishingly clear, high-definition images, giving doctors and technicians greater diagnostic confidence. Additionally, the EPIQ 5 offers innovations in Anatomical Intelligence for Breasts screenings, making it one of the best ultrasound machines for OB/GYN practices and women’s healthcare.

The Philips EPIQ 5 sets itself apart from the competition with its cutting-edge TrueVue Advanced 3D Display that produces remarkably lifelike 3D images. The device also has a MaxVue High-Definition Display feature that increases the image viewing area by 38%, making it easier for clinicians to visualize patient anatomy from multiple angles.

The price of the Philips EPIQ 5 ranges between $42,500 and $63,750.

Pros:

• 110 Sec boot-up time and high processing speeds so users spend less time waiting
• SmartExam protocols that help you perform complete studies on every patient and significantly reduce exam time
• Advanced PureWave and nSight Imaging technology that increases penetration by up to 76% for better scans of hard-to-image patients
• DICOM capability allows patient data to be shared across devices

Cons:

• 45 min back-up battery life may leave users wanting more

Siemens SC2000 Prime

The Siemens SC2000 Prime is an industry standout when it comes to price-to-performance value. It provides spectacular cardiac performance and also has clinical applications for Vascular, Urology, and MSK.

The Siemens SC2000 Prime is one of the few ultrasound machines in its price bracket that offers advanced imaging features such as 4D imaging, Live 3D Echo, Strain Elastography, and Auto IMT. The device is also capable of automatic Left Heart (LH) measurement, making it easier for clinicians to assess cardiac function from typical adult transthoracic imaging.

It can also perform Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) and provides highly detailed images of the heart’s internal structures. Using this cutting-edge imaging tool, clinicians can detect blood clots, evaluate heart valves, and guide treatment for various heart conditions.

A distinguishing feature of the Siemens SC2000 Prime is its use of AI-powered applications for Structural Heart Disease. This innovative technology includes a full suite of imaging options to reduce variability, time, and effort required in routine echo and structural heart exams.

The price for the Siemens SC2000 Prime ranges between $15,000 and $22,000.

Pros:

• InFocus Coherent Technology provides superior spatial resolution, precise border definition, and blood flow visualization in the same view without compromising frame rate
• Intracardiac Echocardiography (ICE) for high-resolution real-time visualization of cardiac structures.
• Transcranial Doppler (TCD) for improved evaluation of blood circulation in and around the brain

Cons:

• No touchscreen; control panel consists of a trackball, knobs, and buttons
• No Panoramic imaging

What to Consider When Buying an Ultrasound Machine

If you’re purchasing an ultrasound for the first time or looking to get more value from your next purchase than the last, consider the following questions before you buy:

• Does the ultrasound machine you’re interested in have the right features for your specialty?
• Does the system have any features that improve workflow?
• And lastly, does your budget amount to a wise investment in the long run?

The Right Features For Your Specialty

You’ll get the most out of your ultrasound if it has features that are specifically designed for your medical specialty. For example, OB/GYN practices increasingly seek out ultrasound machines with 4D and HD Live imaging.

These advanced features allow expecting parents to see high-definition video of their baby’s face while in the womb. It also helps physicians detect cleft palates and other fetal issues early.

The machine’s features should also match the complexity of cases you typically take on. For example, intensive care units dealing with advanced stroke or DVT cases will benefit from an ultrasound machine with color Doppler, which allows for more detailed visualization and precise blood flow measurement through the heart and tiny vessels.

Ease of Use / Workflow Tools

Purchasing an ultrasound machine with workflow efficiency tools can help you cut down on exam times and improve the flow of patients in and out of your office.

For example, some ultrasound machines come with presets for common procedures. Presets guide clinicians through routine scans and automatically collect relevant diagnostic information, making exams faster and seamless.

Ultrasound as a Wise Investment

You can ensure that your ultrasound purchase is a wise investment by setting a budget that matches your estimated gain per use. For example, if you spend $30,000 for an ultrasound machine and make a profit of $300 per scan, you will pay off your device after 100 ultrasounds. If you can scan ten people per day, you can have a return on investment (ROI) in just ten business days.

This means that healthcare teams that regularly perform ultrasound exams can afford to spend more on their new machine. Medical practices that rarely perform ultrasounds may want to consider a less expensive option.

Why Buy From Strata?

The Ge Vivid E9, Philips iE33, Philips EPIQ 5, and Siemens SC2000 are all top-of-the-line shared service ultrasound machines with exceptional cardiac imaging performance.

Clinicians requiring a broad range of advanced imaging technology and above-average portability may turn to the more expensive Philips EPIQ 5.

The Siemens SC2000 is a great option for healthcare teams who need advanced imaging capabilities but have a conservative budget.

In addition to the four ultrasound machines compared in this article, Strata Imaging offers complete rental, maintenance, repair, and sale of almost every type of ultrasound machine and related peripherals to all 50 states.

Browse our extensive catalog of ultrasound equipment to find the best fit for your medical practice.

When you buy from Strata Imaging, you get more than a first-class machine at a great price. You can also access our expert repair team and knowledgeable customer service reps.

Give us a call today at 866-770-9605 or fill out this form with any questions you have, and our dedicated service team will gladly assist you.

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