An ultrasound is a medical technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the organs, tissues, and other objects inside the body. An ultrasound can create a live image of the inside. Unlike X-ray techniques, ultrasound does not use radiations, making it safe for use even during pregnancy. The most important equipment to perform an ultrasound is an ultrasound machine—the better the machine, the better the image quality and credibility of the results. So here is a guide of ultrasound machines for sonologists and patients. This guide will help you buy the best ultrasound machine if you are a sonologist and choose the best ultrasound machine to trust if you are a patient.
You must have seen an ultrasound machine at the gynecologist’s office, but that is not the only place it should be in. Sonologists can use ultrasound machines in two ways.
Pregnancy Ultrasound: Practitioners can use ultrasound machines to diagnose a pregnancy, check how far along the pregnancy is, measure the baby’s growth, evaluate its position, development, and overall health.
Diagnostic Ultrasound: This is used to check the health and functioning of all other parts of the body like the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive organs.
The resultant picture of ultrasound is called a sonogram which professionals evaluate to make a proper diagnosis and start a treatment plan. Marham is offering the facility of online lab test in Pakistan.
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Things To Consider
Now that you know that you need to buy an ultrasound machine, it’s time that you choose the best ultrasound machine available. In ultrasound, most of the work is done by the machine, and the technician usually has to move the machine on the body. So choosing a good machine is of utmost importance for most of the sonologist in Lahore and other cities of Pakistan.
It would be best if you considered the following before trusting a machine with your patient’s body and health and chose the best ultrasound machine that ticks all the boxes in your checklist.
- The resolution of the image results.
- The comfort of the cathode or the end that touches the body.
- The extra features.
- The range of the machine (How many parts it can cater to? Or the depth to which it can penetrate the sound waves?)
- The price (Better quality machines will obviously cost more)
- The readiness of the results (How long will the results take?)
- The credibility of the results (Is there a possible error in the machine?)
- Brand of the machine.
Types of Ultrasound Machine
Before deciding on the best ultrasound machine, you need to know about all the available options. This way, you can know what you really need and what machine will cater to your concerns within a budget.
1. Premium General Imaging Machines
If you need the very best image quality and are ready to splurge, this might be the option for you. You can find this machine in the best premium hospitals and clinics across Pakistan. Now that you have decided on the type of ultrasound machine, you need to look into the brand of the best ultrasound machines. In general, there is no dominant brand in their category of the best ultrasound machine. However, the Philips machine has the edge over other brands with its stronger cardiovascular focus.
Keep in mind that general imaging does not require specific applications and features. It is used in diagnostic ultrasound procedures, typically in pain management, urology, vascular, abdominal, and MSK (musculoskeletal). Although all these areas do not require specific applications and features, sometimes certain features are required.
One of the most promising features of this technology is “fusion technology.” Fusion technology merges the ultrasound images with images from other modalities, allowing better and in-depth study of a specific area or issue. The most modern machines with this technology have amazing 2D GI (general imaging) image, 4D and cardiac functions.
2. High-End General Imaging
This usually offers similar quality and features to the premium GI machines, only without special probes and features. This makes these machines stand at a lower price point. You can find these machines in any good hospital or certified clinic in the bigger cities of Pakistan.
This can cover the widest range of general imaging scans required by the doctor. Moreover, the image equality and probe quality are excellent. Therefore, depending on the premium features required by the sonologists, these machines can be a good-quality and budget-friendly choice for sonologists and patients.
Some special features include larger monitors, advanced image optimization, touchscreens, special reposting packages, and modern hardware.
3. Midrange General Imaging Machines
This is the most common ultrasound machine segment. It offers all the common applications at a somewhat affordable price that most practitioners can afford. These machines use linear, convex, and endocavitary transducers. Even at a low price, these machines offer cardiac and 4D applications. Other common features include spatial compounding, needle enhancement, and speckle reduction. You can choose from the following options:
- Phillips Affiniti 50
- Logiq S8
- GE Logiq P6
- HD111xe in this range
4. Economy General Imaging Machines
If you need the best ultrasound machines for just general imaging, you might not need to go for highly proceed and highly equipped machines. These can do your work very well. These can provide you everything necessary without losing too much in image quality.
If you are at the start of your career or your audience can not afford better-equipped scanning, this can be a perfect choice for you. In this segment, you can choose between:
- Philips ClearVue 550
- GE Logiq-P5
- Siemens X150
5. Portable General Imaging
These machines offer the luxury of taking the machine wherever you go. This is the perfect choice for sonologists that provide at-home services. Portable ultrasound machines also come in various options divided by quality and price. These machines often have a single transducer port, but these machines can be paired with a multi-probe connector cart. These do not offer expensive 4D imaging but ensure good image quality and a broad range of probes and potential applications, including needle enhancement.
The Final Decision
There is no final verdict in this case. You have to choose that best matches your requirements and is within your budget. To better understand the ultrasound machine prices in Pakistan, it is better to consult healthcare equipment providers. If you are not a sonologists and are looking for a good machine to trust with your own health, the best way is to consult a sonologists, so they may decide what machine will cater to all your concerns.
FAQ’s
1. Are portable ultrasound machines reliable?
Yes, portable ultrasound machines are completely reliable and they provide credible and authentic results.
2. Is ultrasound carried out on the abdomen only?
No ultrasound can be carried out on the chest, abdomen, and other body parts, depending on the requirement.
3. Is ultrasound safe?
Ultrasound is completely safe, as it uses no radiation.
Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with top sonologists in Pakistan through Marham by calling at Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by online appointment booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.
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