A portable ultrasound machine is a great investment for most medical practices. Ultrasound machines are incredibly versatile pieces of imaging equipment used across various medical specialties and clinical settings. And portable ones allow for great performance in ER units and point-of-care situations. Medical staff can also connect them to stationary carts for use in surgical and perioperative cases.

But with great versatility comes great variability. Today, there are tons of different portable ultrasound models and system features available on the market. Narrowing down your choices to find the best ultrasound machine for your healthcare team can easily become overwhelming.

This article aims to simplify your ultrasound purchasing decision by introducing the Mindray M9 and comparing it to three top portable ultrasound machines – the Mindray M7, the GE Vivid Q, and the Philips CX50.

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

Ultrasound Machine	Details
Mindray M9	Price Range: $28,500 to $42,750 Monitor Size: 15.6 inches Imaging Modes: 2D Probe Ports: 1 probe port Controls: Trackpad, knobs, and buttons  Applications: Cardiac, OB/GYN, Emergency medicine, MSK, Vascular Key Features: B-Steer, M-Mode, Anatomical M-Mode, Color doppler, Directional color power Doppler, Power Doppler, PW Doppler, CW Doppler, Tissue Doppler, Tissue harmonic imaging, Speckle reduction, Auto optimization, Stress echo, DICOM 3.1, Needle recognition, Panoramic, Elastography, Contrast, Auto IMT, SmartNT, LVO, Continuous high pulse repetition frequency
Mindray M7	Price Range: $16,500 to $24,750 Monitor Size: 15″ LCD Imaging Modes: 2D Probe Ports: 1 probe port Controls: Knobs, buttons, and trackball Applications: Cardiac, OB/GYN, Emergency medicine, MSK, Vascular Key Features: M-Mode, Anatomical M-Mode, Color M-Mode, Color Doppler, Power Doppler, PW Doppler, CW Doppler, Tissue Doppler, Tissue harmonic imaging, DICOM 3.1, Speckle reduction, Auto optimization, Compound imaging, Panoramic, IMT, Needle recognition, Stress echo, Continuous high pulse repetition frequency
GE Vivid Q	Price Range: $23,500 to $35,250 Monitor Size: 15 inches Imaging Modes: 2D Probe Ports: 1 probe port Controls: Knobs, buttons, and trackball Applications: Cardiac, OB/GYN, Vascular, MSK, Urology Key Features: B-Flow, M-Mode, Anatomical M-Mode, Color Doppler, CW Doppler, PW doppler, SCW Doppler, Tissue Doppler, Tissue harmonic imaging, Auto tissue optimization, Speckle reduction, Auto IMT, DICOM 3.1
Philips CX50	Price Range: $20,000 to $40,000 Monitor Size: 15” LCD Imaging Modes: 2D, 3D, and 4D Probe Ports: 1 probe port Controls: Knobs, buttons, and trackball Applications: Cardiac, OB/GYN, Vascular, MSK, Urology, and Emergency medicine Key Features: Compatible with PureWave transducers, Strain Quantification, MicroVascular Imaging, 3D quantification, Live3D (4D) TEE, ICE Intracardiac Echo

Mindray M9 Vs Similar Models

The Mindray M9 is a high-end portable ultrasound machine with shared service functionality. It performs exceptionally well for cardiac imaging and also supports OB/GYN, Emergency Medicine, MSK, Vascular, and a host of other clinical applications.

The versatility of the Mindray M9’s imaging capabilities makes it a fantastic choice for most clinics. But its alternatives come with their own set of distinct clinical strengths and may be an even better fit for your medical practice.

The Mindray M7, GE Vivid Q, and Philips CX50 are all shared service portable ultrasound machines with spectacular performance across multiple medical specialties. Read on for a breakdown of each machine’s unique features, price, pros, and cons.

Mindray M9

The M9 is one of Mindray’s most advanced portable ultrasound machines. It uses advanced single-crystal transducer technology to provide crisp, feature-rich images on its 15.6” LED monitor. And its sleek, laptop-style design allows for easy transport in and out of exam rooms and between distant clinical locations.

Cardiovascular units will appreciate the Mindray M9’s extensive scope of ECG and TEE imaging functions. Plus, the M9 is capable of live 3D and 4D imaging for OB/GYN cases, making it an excellent choice for women’s healthcare.

Vascular clinicians can also get in on the action, taking advantage of the Mindray M9’s full-scope of Doppler imaging for enhanced visualization and measurement of blood flow. Its Dopper modes include:

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

The Mindray M9 stands out from similarly priced portable machines in its use of Mindray’s patented Ultra-Wideband Non-linear technology, resulting in clearer images with less noise.

The device also uses echo-enriched beamformer technology that provides an enhanced out-of-focus image resolution and deeper penetration, even in hard-to-image patients.

The price of the Mindray M9 ranges between $28,500 and $42,750.

Pros:

• B-Steer technology to display both the needle and anatomy in one image for easier needle and catheter placements
• M-Mode and Anatomical M-Mode for accurate, real-time measurements of various echocardiographic parameters
• Tissue Harmonic imaging improves image clarity by enhancing edge detection, so patient anatomy is clearly defined
• Speckle Reduction feature enhances the quality of B-Mode scanning by reducing artifacts
• Auto Optimization feature automatically enhances image quality at the touch of a button
• Stress Echo to evaluate heart function under stress
• Needle Recognition for precise needle and catheter placements
• Panoramic imaging to measure objects/masses larger than the field of view
• Elastography for assessments of the liver, breast, prostate, and small lesions
• Contrast imaging for improved visualization of anatomic structure and lesions, especially for patients with contraindications to CT and MRI
• Left Ventricular Opacification (LVO) for an improved view of structural heart abnormalities
• Smart NT for automatic measurements of fetal nuchal translucency
• Auto Intima-Media Thickness measurement of anterior and posterior walls for accurate carotid status
• Natural touch elastography to reduce dependence on technician operation technique and improve user reproducibility for greater clinical utility
• 90-minute battery plus 3.5 hours of scanning with trolley mounted battery pack
• DICOM 3.1 compatibility

Cons:

• No touchscreen
• No Shear Wave Elastography
• No B-Flow
• No Spatio-Temporal Image Correlation (STIC)

Mindray M7

The Mindray M7 is the M9’s less expensive cousin. It’s an excellent option for medical practices seeking the portability and premium image quality of the M9 on a more conservative budget.

Similar to the M9, the Mindray M7 is a full shared service portable ultrasound machine with clinical applications for:

• Cardiac
• OB/GYN
• Emergency medicine
• Musculoskeletal
• Vascular

Other note-worthy similarities between the Mindray M7, and M9 include ECG and TEE functions, live 3D/4D imaging for OB/GYN, multiple Doppler modes, and single-crystal transducer technology.

The main difference between the Mindray M7 and M9 is that the M7 has a lower monitor resolution and is incompatible with as many transducers.

Nonetheless, the Mindray M7 delivers robust and reliable performance for most clinical scenarios.

The price of the Mindray M7 ranges between $16,500 and $24,750.

GE Vivid Q

When it comes to power, portability, and premium image quality, the GE Vivid Q offers serious competition to the Mindray M9.

The GE Vivid Q excels in cardiac imaging and also various applications for:

• OB/GYN
• Vascular
• Musculoskeletal
• Pediatrics
• Small Parts

Similar to the Mindray M9, the GE Vivid Q is compatible with advanced single-crystal transducer technology and provides feature-rich, high-resolution imaging. It also offers a complete set of Doppler imaging modes, including:

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

Unlike the Mindray M9, the GE Vivid Q is not capable of 3D/4D imaging for OB/GYN. However, the Vivid Q has an impressive array of advanced cardiac imaging features, including ICE, TEE, and ECG for neonates, pediatrics, and adults.

The price of the GE Vivid Q ranges between $23,500 and $35,250.

Pros:

• B-Flow for real-time imaging of blood flow
• M-Mode and Anatomical M-Mode for accurate, real-time measurements of various echocardiographic parameters
• Tissue Harmonic imaging improves image clarity by enhancing edge detection, so patient anatomy is clearly defined
• Auto Tissue Optimization
• Speckle Reduction feature improves the quality of B-Mode scanning by reducing artifacts
• Auto Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) measurement of anterior and posterior walls for accurate carotid status
• DICOM 3.1 compatibility

Cons:

• No 3D/4D imaging
• No Shear Wave Elastography
• No Panoramic Imaging

Philips CX50

The Philips CX50 model is currently one of the most highly considered ultrasound machines for healthcare practices across a variety of medical specialties. It is lightweight and highly transportable with remarkably advanced imaging capabilities.

Despite the CX50’s compact size, it is a fully shared service device equipped to handle multiple clinical applications, including:

• Cardiac
• OB/GYN
• Vascular
• Kidney
• Urology
• Veterinary

The Philips CX50 is highly-regarded for its versatility and premium image quality. With both single crystal probes and a 4D TEE probe, the CX50 produces astonishingly high-resolution images, allowing medical professionals to monitor and diagnose patients with the utmost accuracy and confidence.

While its advanced cardiac imaging features make it one of the best ultrasound machines for cardiovascular care units, its compact design, and shared service capabilities allow for easy transport and excellent performance in ER and point-of-care situations as well.

The Philips CX50 model sets itself apart with its high-end QLAB software enabling you to expand your patient’s diagnostic information with several QLAB assessment and analysis apps, including:

• Strain Quantification (SQ)
• MicroVascular Imaging (MVI)
• GI 3D quantification
• Live3D (4D) TEE
• ICE Intracardiac Echo.

The price of the Philips CX50 ranges between $20,000 and $40,000.

Pros:

• Fully integrated with Philips interventional X-ray systems so you can send, store, query, and retrieve images across devices
• Advanced PureWave Technology allows for improved penetration in hard-to-image patients
• SmartExam protocols that help you perform complete studies on every patient and significantly reduce exam time

Cons:

• No Stress Echo
• No Panoramic Imaging
• 40-minute battery life, shorter than average

What to Consider When Buying an Ultrasound Machine

Finding the best ultrasound machine for your medical practice leads to higher quality patient care, improved office efficiency, and reduced exam times.

To get the greatest value from your ultrasound purchase, consider the following:

• The intended clinical use of your device
• Does the seller have reliable after-sales technical support?
• What probes/transducers are required for your medical specialty?

Intended Clinical Use

The intended clinical use of your device is the most critical factor to consider before making your ultrasound purchase. For example, medical practices specializing in women’s healthcare usually need a different ultrasound machine than Intensive Care Units.

Additionally, multi-specialty hospitals will benefit from purchasing an ultrasound with shared service functionality. On the other hand, single-specialty medical practices may want an ultrasound machine with a single clinical application tailored for their specialty.

Reliable After-Sales Technical Support

In the fast-paced environment of a hospital or clinic, imaging equipment is easily subject to eventual wear and tear from repeated clinical use.

Before purchasing an ultrasound system, It’s essential to assess the reputation of the seller and the quality of their after-sales technical support. Do they offer repair or replacement services? How quickly do they respond to machinery failures?

Strata Imaging is a trusted industry leader when it comes to exemplary after-sales technical support. We strive for a 24-hour or less response time to customer repair requests and offer an extensive collection of imaging equipment, parts, and accessories. Plus, every Strata purchase comes with unlimited access to our dedicated customer service and repair team.

What probes/transducers are required for your medical specialty?

The ultrasound probes/transducers you need for your medical office depend on the type of patients and cases you take on. Transducers come in different shapes and sizes and have specific features tailored to imaging different body parts.

Some ultrasound machines are compatible with a wide range of transducers, while others are limited in the transducers they work with. Clinicians who take on various medical cases and have a diverse patient population will benefit from a device with broad transducer compatibility.

Why Buy From Strata?

The Mindray M9, Mindray M7, GE Vivid Q, and Philips CX50 are all shared service portable ultrasound machines with phenomenal performance across multiple medical specialties.

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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