Ultrasound Machine Buyer's Guide

As the health care industry continues to advance, improving patient outcomes remains a top priority among clinicians around the globe. Ensuring your practice remains up to date with the latest technology could mean putting pressure on your bottom line. Searching for cost-effective and patient-centric equipment including ultrasound machines could become a challenge. Our buyer's guide is here to help ease the purchasing process and answer question you may have.

Henry Schein Medical offers a diverse portfolio of capital imaging equipment that can fit the needs of your practice. From wireless, to hand-carried, our selection of high performing ultrasounds can accelerate clinical decisions while improving the patient experience.

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How Does an Ultrasound Machine Work?

An ultrasound machine can be categorized as diagnostic or therapeutic; both using high frequency sound waves to generate imagery. The most common uses for ultrasound machines include:

• Cardiac/Cardiovascular: ideal for an extensive range of cardiovascular applications including a primary focus on the heart or blood vessels. This ultrasound can diagnose various conditions affecting the heart, inclusive of heart defects, blockages in the arteries, and heart rhythm complications. In addition, locating tissue Doppler imaging or tissue velocity are other typical uses of a cardiac ultrasound. Clinicians can use these images to track the progress of stents or bypass surgery.
• OB/GYN Ultrasound: can be used to for pelvic imaging to evaluate a fetus, uterus, ovaries, and neighboring tissue. Commonly used for routine examination, this ultrasound performs pregnancy checkups and can explore origins of infertility, pelvic discomfort, and vaginal complications.

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How Much Does an Ultrasound Machine Cost?

Whether you are upgrading your ultrasound or making your first purchase, it's important to understand the cost of a new, used, or refurbished machine. In addition, recognizing what features your facility needs from an ultrasound machine will help your procurement process.

• A brand-new machine sold by the original manufacturer or supplier can potentially range around anywhere from $20,000–$200,000 or higher.
• A machine that has been used over the course of several months to years can sometimes range from $5,000-$40,000 contingent on the brand and model.
• After a machine has been cleaned and repaired from prior use, a refurbished ultrasound's price tag can sometimes range from $28,000–$70,000. A refurbished machine can include cosmetic or functional upgrades. Cosmetic changes consist of cleaning and painting the cover depending on the condition. The functionality upgrades can range from software updates, parts replacements, and unlocking features. Opting for a refurbished machine could save your practice on cost and your bottom line.
• Low-Range: This type of ultrasound machine is basic in nature and can be ideal for smaller-scale private medical facilities. Sometimes ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 in cost, a low-range machine does not come refurbished.
• Mid-Range: The functionality and quality of a mid-range machine outranks the low-range equipment because of its elevated imaging capabilities. Because of its above-average competences, a mid-range machine can often cost between $15,000 to $60,000, a refurbished machine can sometimes vary between $25,000 to $35,000, and a new mid-range can range around $45,000 to $60,000.
• High-Range: The advanced efficacies of a high-range machine offer extraordinary imaging with a price tag of often around $100,000 and beyond. Purchasing a refurbished high-range ultrasound machine can sometimes range from $50,000-$70,000 and a used high-end machine can sometimes range from $25,000 to $40,000.

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Upgrading Your Ultrasound Machine

While updating your medical equipment can be exciting, it can also become overwhelming with so many options. Planning your procurement process and knowing when your ultrasound machine needs an upgrade can help with your buying journey.

1. Research Equipment Options: start a conversation with your staff and key equipment users to understand the pain points around your current ultrasound machine to determine what you'll need your new machine to perform.
2. Observe Your Current Workflow: when you're going through the process of your upgrade, it could have an impact on your current workflow. Consider adjusting your workflow patterns to ensure patient and staff satisfaction while minimizing stress in this transition.
3. Create Project Plan: with appropriate and reasonable planning, scheduling your ultrasound upgrading period could consist of a few moving parts. It's important to map out your medical facilities project plan to ensure a smooth transition.
4. Know Your Bottom Line: looking at your overhead and direct costs will help you budget for a new, used, or refurbished ultrasound machine.
5. Talk to Trusted Industry Professionals: connect with your distributor or supplier to understand the potential behind an ultrasound upgrade.

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What Transducers or Probe Do I Need for My Ultrasound Machine?

A transducer or probe is an essential component to an ultrasound. This device produces sound waves that bounce off body tissue and generate echoes. The transducer obtains the echoes and directs them to a computer to create an image called a sonogram.

Piezoelectric Crystals attains the image by generating sound waves and sets the footprint for the shape of the ultrasound beam. When an electric current encounters the crystals, they'll vibrate and emit ultrasound waves.

Types of Transducers and Probes

• Linear Transducers: emits a large footprint with average resolution that can be used for vascular, thyroid, intraoperative, laparoscopy, breast examinations, and more. This transducer can produce a high frequency of 7-18Mhz
• Convex Probes: good for in-depth examinations, convex probes central frequency ranges from 2.5MHz–7.5MHz. This transducer can be used for abdominal, nerve, musculoskeletal, OB/GYN examinations, and more.
• Phased Array Transducer: producing a smaller footprint and a lower frequency of 2Mhz–7.5Mhz, the phased array probe is commonly selected for abdominal, cardiac, and brain examinations.

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Ultrasound Machine Maintenance Tips

After you've made your ultrasound purchase, performing the proper maintenance tasks to ensure longevity and reliability from your equipment is essential. It's important to consider the following in your upkeep routine:

• Inspect your probes regularly for cracks or swellings on or near the lens
• Ensure your cable and connectors aren't discolored or wearing out due to overuse
• Have quarterly service and performance audit by a service representative
• Follow proper cleaning and disinfecting protocols

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Explore the Advantages of Portable Handheld Ultrasound Machines

In the ever-evolving landscape of health care, innovation plays a crucial role in enhancing diagnostic capabilities and patient care. Our portable handheld ultrasound machines stand at the forefront of this revolution, offering a myriad of benefits tailored to meet the needs of today's dynamic medical professionals.

1. Mobility and Convenience:
• Compact and lightweight design allows for effortless portability
• Conduct ultrasound examinations directly at the patient's bedside, in clinics, or even in remote settings
2. Immediate Point-of-Care Assessments:
• Accelerate decision-making with real-time imaging, enabling prompt diagnosis and treatment planning
• Reduce patient wait times by performing quick and accurate assessments without the need for extensive equipment setup
3. User-Friendly Interface:
• Intuitive controls and user-friendly interfaces make our handheld ultrasound machines accessible to health care professionals of all experience levels
• Streamlined workflows enhance efficiency, enabling practitioners to focus on patient care
4. Versatile Imaging Capabilities:
• Deliver high-quality imaging across various applications, including cardiology, obstetrics, musculoskeletal, and more
• Experience the flexibility to address diverse patient needs with a single, portable device
5. Wireless Connectivity:
• Seamlessly integrate ultrasound data into electronic health records (EHR) systems
6. Cost-Effective Solution:
• Minimize upfront costs associated with traditional ultrasound machines
• Eliminate the need for dedicated ultrasound rooms, optimizing facility resources
7. Patient-Focused Care:
• Enhance the patient experience by providing on-the-spot imaging, fostering a more interactive and informed health care journey
• Reduce anxiety through immediate visualizations, aiding in patient education and communication

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Common Patient Questions about Ultrasound Machines

To help doctors and medical professionals prepare for patient inquiries, this content provides answers to common questions about ultrasound machines. Being well-prepared for these questions and effectively communicating with patients is essential for delivering high-quality care and ensuring patient comfort and understanding.

What is an Ultrasound Machine?

An ultrasound machine is a medical device that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. These images help diagnose and monitor various conditions. Ultrasound machines are commonly used for examining the abdomen, heart, blood vessels, and during pregnancy to monitor fetal development.

What is an Ultrasound Machine Used For?

Ultrasound machines are used for a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. They help visualize organs, tissues, and blood flow to detect abnormalities, guide needle biopsies, monitor pregnancies, and evaluate symptoms such as pain, swelling, and infection. Ultrasound is a versatile tool used in many medical specialties, including obstetrics, cardiology, and emergency medicine.

Do Ultrasound Machines Have any Risks?

Ultrasound is considered a safe and non-invasive imaging modality. It does not use ionizing radiation, making it safer than X-rays or CT scans. The risks associated with ultrasound are minimal, and it is generally well-tolerated by patients. However, it is essential for ultrasound procedures to be performed by trained professionals to ensure accuracy and safety.

Sources:

1. https://www.nationalultrasound.com/how-much-does-an-ultrasound-machine-cost/
2. https://info.atlantisworldwide.com/blog/-8-tips-for-upgrading-your-mri-ct
3. https://lbnmedical.com/ultrasound-transducer-types/
4. https://us.edm-imaging.com/2019/01/23/tips-maintain-ultrasound-machine/
5. https://www.mindray.com/na/products/ultrasound/