What portable ultrasound machine should you buy?

May. 06, 2024

What portable ultrasound machine should you buy?

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Over the past ten years of teaching diagnostic ultrasound, one of the most common questions we get from delegates is what ‘ultrasound machine should I buy’, whether this is someone buying for a department, a clinic, sports club or as an individual.

If you read my blog on ’how to get started in diagnostic ultrasound’, you will see that you have to get good access to a machine to develop your skills! Otherwise it is like learning to play the guitar without access to a guitar! It just won’t happen! We would suggest at least two days a week you need access to a machine to make steady progress and acquire the skill… ideally more. If not, maybe you need to buy your own machine! A great investment IMO.

Good ultrasound machines are expensive and making the right decision is very important. So, take your time, ask the experts (independent ones) and carry out your own research.

Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself before you buy:

How much money do you have to spend?

The first most important one is how much money can you spend. It’s quite simple with ultrasound machines. Generally speaking, the more money you spend, the better the machine.

But also, and one aspect many don’t think about is…the more you spend initially the less likely you will want to upgrade the machine in 2-3 years. Often people buy a poor quality cheap machine or a handheld machine and want to upgrade their machine after 2-3 years. Buy cheap, buy twice! We always try and recommend people spend as much as they can as essentially you are making a long-term investment in your career.

Good ultrasound machines are not cheap! Although £5000 is a lot of money you will not get a very good machine at this price. As you get better at scanning you want to see more structures in greater detail, and you will require a better image. It is harder to scan on poorer quality machines. Ideally you need to spend approximately £10000 if you want a machine that will suffice for all areas of the body and will last for the next 5 – 10 years.

Ultrasound is highly operator and machine dependent imaging modality. Those delegates who have bought cheaper machines wanted to upgrade the machine after a few years. Quite simply, as you get better at scanning you want to see more. For example, the deeper structures around the hip, small nerves or proximal hamstring. So many wished they just bought a better machine and spent more money in the first place.

Buy cheap, buy twice!

Case example: We recently had a physiotherapist on our course who had bought a cool new handheld machine called a Butterfly (see image). He saw the adverts on Facebook, thought it looked cool. It was relatively cheap (approximately £2000 I believe). Firstly, it does look very cool (like many of the handheld machines) but quite simply the Butterfly is not good enough for musculoskeletal scanning. Unfortunately, the marketing material and the sales reps are pushing it as a good option for musculoskeletal medicine. We would not recommend you buy it because you will soon be disappointed! For vascular and other scans, it maybe ok but not for musculoskeletal and sports injuries. The physio on the course had bought it a few weeks before our 2-day Introduction course and as soon as he started scanning on our machines, he was very disappointed with the image quality and immediately regretted the decision. In fact, at lunch time he tried to call Butterfly to get his money back

Should you buy a second hand machines

On occasion you will find a reasonable machine for £5000-8000 second hand on Ebay or one of the re-sale sites. Be aware; you don’t know who you are buying from. We would always recommend you ‘try before you buy’. Second-hand machines on e-Bay are also very unlikely to have a warranty and if something goes wrong it can be very costly! Most machines are not repaired in the UK so would need to be posted somewhere in Europe. We are always happy for people to email us at SMUG if you are unsure about what machine to buy, would like our opinion on a machine or just want more advise.

Renting a machine – this would seem like a good idea but unfortunately not many manufacturers offer it. Many of the manufacturers do a ‘lease to buy option’ but they can work out fairly expensive. The only rental option we are aware of is the handheld machines such as the Sonon and Clarius machine. However, please read my article on ‘Should I buy a handheld machine’.

What will you be using it for?

This is a really important question and will affect what machine is appropriate for you. Ultrasound is being used by a variety of clinicians for many different reasons. If you want to use your machine for all musculoskeletal areas, then you need to aim for a high end machine with excellent image quality. However, if you will be using ultrasound to answer a more specific clinical question then a cheaper machine with a poorer image quality may suffice. A handheld machine may be adequate to answer the question. For example, if you want to look for an effusion in a hip joint, confirm an Achilles rupture or take measurements for a research study

What machine should you buy?
Prices are approximate INCLUDING VAT

£10,000 to £15,000 (approximate) £15,000 to £25,000 upwards (approximate) GE V2 GE Logiq-e R7 Sonosite Edge 1 SamsungHM70A Mindray M7 Konica Minolta Sonimage SonoScape Mindray M9 Alpinion Ecube i7 Sonosite Edge 2 Sonosite M-Turbo Alpinion Ecube i7

The machines in the table above are those we have experience with. New machines are being introduced to the market all the time and there are many other good machines that we have not mentioned.

Portable machines between £15,000-£25,000 range (approximate)

The machines in this bracket are all good quality machines that are more than adequate for all MSK scanning. They all have the standard features you would expect at this level e.g high frequency probes, power Doppler, side to side comparison, needle visualisation etc…

On our SMUG courses we use Logiq-e R7 machines. These machines have excellent image quality and are one of the best portable options on the market. Many of our SMUG tutors use these machines in their clinic. Aswell as the image quality, the Logiq-e R7 is easy to use, has useful features such as the Logiq view (see below left) and easy side to side comparison (image below right). The image quality is also maintained at depths of around 4-6cm with the correct pre-sets. This is a sign of a good machine! SMUG delegates get an exclusive deal on the Loqiq-e R7. £14,999 plus VAT. This is excellent value for money.

Sonosite machines are probably the simplest machines to use and have simple functionality. They are also the most robust, as the probes themselves have a thick plastic casing which is ‘one-meter drop tested’ (they were designed to be used in the Armed Forces!). This is very reassuring if you travel a lot with your machine from clinic to clinic, considering most probes cost several thousands of pounds and are very delicate. The Sonosite machines are compact with a quick start up, very user friendly, and have good image quality. They come with all the standard options you would expect at this price – power Doppler, needle visualisation and easy recording and exporting functions. The screen is smaller than the GE which can be a negative to some people. Many beginners to ultrasound like the simplicity of the Sonosite machines.

The Samsung machine is a little more expensive but does have excellent image quality. It gives the Logiq-e R7 a run for its money! To choose between these two, you would have to assess them side by side before making a final decision. Both excellent portable machines. You will not be disappointed with either machine.

We have also test driven the Konica Minolta Sonimage on a few courses. This is a little more expensive but does have excellent image quality and a well presented easy to use touch screen. Worth a look if you have over £20,000 to spend.

Portable machines between £10,000-£15,000 range (approximate)

See table below

At this price range the image quality will not be as good as the more expensive machines, particularly at depths greater than 4 cm’s. The power Doppler can also be less sensitive. These machines are still more than adequate for musculoskeletal scanning and carrying out guided injections.

The GE V2 has all the functionality of the Logiq-e and is comparable in terms of image quality on superficial structures but on deeper structures and small nerves you will see a difference. If you can stretch to another £5000 to get the Logiq-e then it is worth the money. If not the V2 is a good starter.

I recently tried the Alpinion Ecube i7 which is relatively new to the UK market.. I was pleasantly surprised! It was easy to use, with good functionality and all the features you require for MSK imaging e.g. needle visualization, a sensitive power Doppler and easy side to side comparison. The image quality was very good and comparable to other machines at this price point. Worth a look.

Although it is an older machine now the Sonosite M-Turbo is still good value for money and still produces a good image. They are very portable, very robust and seem to last well. They also have a good battery life, which is a negative of the GE range. I have carried out thousands of guided injections on the Sonosite M-Turbo and have always be impressed by its performance despite its age! It can also be worth contacting the manufacturers as they sometimes have second hand/ex-demo machines that may be cheaper. Often these can come with a one-year warranty.

Portable machines under £10,000

This is where it can be very hit and miss. Any new machines under this price point I would always make sure you research it well. The main limitation will be the image quality compared to the other more expensive machines. I would always advise you try it out for a week or so and ideally compare them to other machines, so you know exactly what you are getting for your money. It’s simple a brand new machine for under £10,000 will perform like a brand new machine under £10,000. With ultrasound machines you get what you pay for. These machines would be good for scanning superficial structures but will lack the resolution of the more expensive machines.

We recently test drove the SonoScape and taught with them in Singapore and we were impressed with their image and functionality for their price. They have three machines less than £10,000. The E1 and E2 are their low-cost options and the image quality reflects this price point. If you are going to buy one, save for a few more months and get the X3! The X3 is around the 10K point including VAT and is a step up in terms of image quality from the E1 and E2.

Handheld devices are under £10,000 such as the Clarius/Athrex Synergy, Sonon 300 and Philips Lumify. For more information about these please read our blog ‘Should I buy a handheld device?’.

You may be able to get a second hand/ex-demo Sonosite M-turbo, an Edge 1 or a GE V2 for under £10,000. These are all good starter machines for MSK ultrasound.

Top Five Tips

1. Buy Cheap, buy twice! You get what you pay for. Bargains do not exist!

2. If you do buy cheap (less than £10,000) be aware that you are likely to want a new machine in 2-3 years

3. Do not buy a machine if you have not tried it. Try before you buy!

If you are a physiotherapist, sports doctor, GP or osteopath and have not scanned at all before, do not buy a machine until you have attended our Introduction course or gained some experience. This will give you an idea of what a good image looks like and avoid you buying a poor quality machine and wasting your money. If you have not scanned, you do not know what a good or bad machine are!

4. Think very carefully before you buy a handheld machine. Compare it to other machines and ensure it will be adequate for what you want to use it for. Also read my blog ‘Should I buy a handheld device?’.

5. Beware eBay buys or buying anything without a warranty! Do your research!

There are new machines coming out all the time and , obviously, it is is very difficult to keep up with all of them so please fee free to email me if you have any questions.

If you have no idea what to do, then please email me at chris@ultrasoundtraining.co.uk and ensure you spend wisely !!

Ultrasound Transducer Types and How to Select the Right ...

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Ultrasound Transducer Types and How to Select the Right Transducer

Article Main topics:

To utilize the full potential of your ultrasound system, you need the right accessories.

Therefore, the correct ultrasound transducer types are the key to the performance of your ultrasound.

In this blog post, we will explain the different ultrasound transducer types and determine the types of examinations you can use them for.

In the end, we will offer some good points you should keep in mind when you are purchasing transducers.

But first of all
– What is an ultrasound transducer and what does it do?

An ultrasound transducer, also called a probe, is a device that produces sound waves that bounce off body tissues and make echoes.

The transducer also receives the echoes and sends them to a computer that uses them to create an image called sonogram.

Moreover, the essential element of each ultrasound transducer is a piezoelectric crystal.

It serves to generate as well as receive ultrasound waves. Sadly, the medical imaging industry was using the same piezoelectric material for over 40 years.

Up until a few years ago.

Then, a new type of crystal material and ultrasound probe technology appeared. That meant a dramatic improvement in image quality. You can read more about the technology in our blog post – Ultrasound Probe Technology.

If you would like to learn more about ultrasounds to prepare yourself for choosing a model, you can also sign up to receive our new e-book: “How to pick an ultrasound”

And you become part of our Ultrasound mail course as well. It only costs your e-mail address. You can also read our Guide to Types of Ultrasound Machines.

Get the Ultrasound E-book

Learn how to pick the right ultrasound model in our e-mail guide – E-book included:

Ultrasound Transducer Types

You can find ultrasound transducers in different shapes, sizes, and have diverse features. That is because you need different specifications for maintaining image quality across different parts of the body.

Transducers can be either passed over the surface of the body – external transducers or can be inserted into an orifice, such as the rectum or vagina – these are internal transducers.

Any more differences?

Yes!

The ultrasound transducers differ in construction based on:

If you want to learn more, please visit our website eco-1.

Piezoelectric crystal arrangement
Aperture (footprint)
Frequency

Let us go through one at a time.

Footprint also called the aperture, is the part of the probe that is in contact with the body and comes in different shapes and sizes. The footprint is linked to the piezoelectric crystal arrangement, for instance, with linear and convex probes.

The piezoelectric crystal arrangement is the part that obtains the image. Therefore, it affects the footprint but also decides the shape of the ultrasound beam.

Frequency means the frequency of the sound waves emitted from the probe. Generally, higher frequencies offer better image quality, but not as deep penetration compared to lower frequencies.

Below we list the three most common ultrasound transducer types – linear, convex (standard or micro-convex), and phased array. Furthermore, we included other transducers that are available on the market, those are pencil and endocavitary probes.

Linear Transducers

So, what features are typical for the linear transducer (such as GE 9L)?

Firstly, the piezoelectric crystal arrangement is linear, the shape of the beam is rectangular, and the near-field resolution is good.

Secondly, the footprint, frequency, and applications of the linear transducer depend on whether the product is for 2D or 3D imaging.

Furthermore, the linear transducer for 2D imaging has a wide footprint and its central frequency is 2.5Mhz – 12Mhz.

You can use this transducer for various applications, for instance:

Vascular examination
Venipuncture, blood vessel visualization
Breast
Small parts
Thyroid
Tendon, arthrogenous
Intraoperative, laparoscopy
The thickness measurement of body fat and musculus for daily health care check and locomotive syndrome check
Photoacoustic
imaging
, ultrasonic velocity change
imaging

The linear transducer for 3D imaging has a wide footprint and a central frequency of 7.5Mhz – 11Mhz.

What can you use this transducer for?

Breast
Thyroid
Arteria carotis of vascular application

Convex Transducers

Another of the ultrasound transducer types is the convex ultrasound transducer, such as GE C1-6, and is also called the curved transducer because the piezoelectric crystal arrangement is curvilinear.

Moreover, the beam shape is convex and the transducer is good for in-depth examinations.

Even though the image resolution decreases when the depth increases. The footprint, frequency, and applications also depend on whether the product is for 2D or 3D imaging.

For example, the convex transducer for 2D imaging has a wide footprint and its central frequency is 2.5MHz – 7.5MHz.

You can use it for examinations such as:

Abdominal
Vascular
Nerve
Musculoskeletal
OB/GYN
Transvaginal and transrectal
Diagnosis of organs

The convex transducer for 3D imaging has a wide field of view and a central frequency of 3.5MHz – 6.5MHz.

You can use it for abdominal examinations.

In addition to the convex transducers, there is a subtype called micro convex. It has a much smaller footprint and typically, physicians would use it in neonatal and pediatrics applications.

Phased Array Transducers

This transducer is named after the piezoelectric crystal arrangement which is called phased array and it is the most commonly used crystal.

Phased Array transducer has a small footprint and low frequency (its central frequency is 2Mhz – 7.5Mhz).

The beam point is narrow but it expands depending on the applied frequency. Furthermore, the beam shape is almost triangular and the near-field resolution is poor.

What can you use the Phased Array transducer for?

Cardiac examinations, including Transesophagealexaminations
Abdominal examinations
Brain examinations

Pencil Transducers

Also called CW Doppler probes, are utilized to measure blood flow and speed of sound in blood.

This probe has a small footprint and uses low frequency (typically 2Mhz– 8Mhz).

Endocavitary Transducers

Furthermore, on the list of ultrasound transducer types, there is the endocavitary ultrasound transducer type. These probes provide you with the opportunity to perform internal examinations of the patient. Therefore, they are designed to fit in specific body orifices.

The endocavitary transducers include endovaginal, endorectal, and endocavity transducers (for example, the Philips C10-4EC endocavitary probe below).

Typically, they have small footprints and the frequency varies in the range of 3.5Mhz – 11.5Mhz.

There is also the transesophageal (TEE) probe. As well as the previously mentioned probes, it has a small footprint and is used for internal examinations.

It is often employed in cardiology to obtain a better image of the heart through the oesophagus. The frequency is middle, in the range of 3Mhz – 10Mhz.

Moreover, there are several probes designed for surgical use, such as laparoscopic probes.

To get a quick overview of the different ultrasound transducer types and their applications, see the table below:

Tips You Should Follow When Buying an Ultrasound Transducer

Now, you should be aware of the most common ultrasound transducer types. And we have a few tips that you should follow when purchasing ultrasound transducers:

Make sure to double-check that the
probe
you are about to buy is compatible with the system you own – you can use a
probe
guide, or ask our sales team.
Penetration depth is better at a low frequency (between 2.5 and 7.5Mhz) but a disadvantage of the low frequency is a lower image quality
The higher the frequency (above 7.5Mhz), the lower is the depth of penetration, however, you get better quality images close to the surface (7.5MHz = 20 cm).

Be cautious!

A black line on the screen of the
ultrasound
system will most likely mean that the
transducer
has a dead crystal inside.
A shadow on the screen of the
ultrasound
system could indicate a weak crystal inside the
transducer
that does not produce the necessary vibration.

How Should You Treat Your Transducer?

Finally, remember that the transducer is a very important, and also a very expensive element of an ultrasound. Therefore, after you have purchased it, remember that no matter the ultrasound transducer type, you should use it with caution, which means:

Do not throw, drop, or knock the
transducer
Be careful not to damage the duct of the
transducer
Wipe the gel from the
transducer
after each use
Do not sluice with alcohol-based confections

To learn more about how to protect your ultrasound probes and what the most common defects are, check our blog post that explains this topic in more depth.

To conclude, we hope that after reading this article, you have a clear image of ultrasound transducer types. And that you will be more prepared the next time you are purchasing probes.

If you have any more questions about transducers or used ultrasound machines, do not hesitate to contact our sales department at sales@lbnmedical.com or via phone +45 96 886 500.

Would you like to purchase a probe but you don’t feel like sending us an email or calling us?

Just fill in this form with your request. We will get back to you as soon as possible!

Also, check our inventory of ultrasound machine parts.

What is next?

If you would like to learn even more about ultrasounds, you can sign up below to receive an e-book: ‘How to pick your next ultrasound’ and become part of our ultrasound e-mail course.

In multiple e-mails, this course will guide you through several themes related to your next ultrasound purchase.