As a doctor, in every point of think, there is a question raised up:” which device should I use or buy and what the best price-quality ratio?”
This simple question required a complex answer though. We’ll do our best to answer to that question in order to enlighten the doctors who wish to buy their own ultrasound device for a MSK ultrasound use.
As a starting point, if you plan to buy ultrasound device there are many factors to take into consideration. Whoever is the investor, the important is get your money’s worth!
1. BUDGET
First thing to do is considering your budget. It’s currently possible to find in the market a large panel of devices with various prices.
However, you will always need to consider one of the main factors which is dependent of your budget; the quality of your machine.
Beginner vs advanced
As a beginner and depending on your profession, General Practitioner, sports doctor, rheumatologist, physiotherapist, osteopath, obstetric, the interest in a device with doppler, even though useful, is not always justified.
Indeed, a doppler will be more useful in medical professions where the diagnostic is the final goal, contrary from a profession where the ultrasound is done in the purpose of orientating the treatment. Of course, it’s important in both cases to know the different pathologies of the musculoskeletal system even if the final objective is not the same.
Once you have an idea of your budget, do not rush on the first device encountered, neither on the one you used during your training.
First, it is better to try as much ultrasound machines as you can. There are enough different designs in different brands to get an idea of what would suit you the best in your practice.
• Be aware of the sales representatives in your region. they are essential in your purchase and in the after-sales follow up or updating your ultrasound machine.
• Do not hesitate to ask for a period of probation or for a temporary rental the time to make your decision.
Although it is also important to calculate in your budget some additional cost such as a new software options or an eventual second probe etc. You should not forget to think about the warranty and consider if it is not better to purchase a brand-new ultrasound machine with a 2 years warranty instead of choosing a second-hand machine cheaper but without any warranty.
Nowadays, the best way to contact a reseller is through the website of the manufacturer, the representatives are all useful and most of the time would let you borrow a machine for a trial (Demo ultrasound machine), the length of time being variable.
2. Portable Ultrasound Machine VS STATIC
Think about your main use and the place(s) where you work. Usually, a bigger ultrasound machines will give you a better medical images quality. However, it will be complicated to transport it, except if you have a big van or a buss as a vehicle. Think about the space you have and the one your machine will take in your clinic.
If you opt for ultraportable models, quality and lack of functionality are often missing. This current tendency to ultra-portable is strongly developed for the diagnosis of emergencies or in cardiology emergency but for the musculoskeletal use performance remains poor.
There are portable machines models of ultrasound, of larger size and which are a good compromise between the cost / portability and the quality of the image.
Most functions are provided as standard; Functions such as measurement “calipers”, harmonic image, edge enhancement, color and power doppler (except on black and white devices) are currently the entry level levels. But as for a car as soon as you want an additional option, you will have to get out your wallet.
So before adding any option think if you really need elastography or any special option such as 3D/4D ultrasound and this even more so when you are beginner, knowing that these options can be added later
3. PROBES
The choice of the probe will also vary depending on your activity. Indeed, you will not opt for the same probe if you are specialized in the hand or in the hip.
Higher frequencies of ultrasound have shorter wavelengths and are absorbed/attenuated more easily. Therefore, higher frequencies are not as penetrating. This explains why high frequencies are used for the superficial body structures and low frequencies are used for those that are deeper.
If your practice is mixed, it is recommended to start with a linear probe not too large to be able of using it for all joints and articular surfaces.
But if your practice is oriented for small joints such as the hand or the feet a probe of type “hockey stick” will be preferable. The resolution is much higher with a smaller head surface, this facilitates the movement on the bone surfaces while accentuating the quality of the ultrasound structures.
The low frequency convex probe will only be used in musculoskeletal deeper structures such as the hip for instance. However, since ultrasound is not the preferred examination for the hip, it will be preferred by standard radiography or MRI. So, it is good to ask the question before a purchase of whether it will really useful
4. BUY FROM A SUPPLIER
Preferably buy your ultrasound machine from a reseller or a reputable company/brand. Look at the distributors that have been on the market for several years with excellent customer service. It will be always easier and more pleasant to have a representative who knows your needs and who will care about your evolution, because a good representative will not be interested in selling you only one ultrasound device but many and following you in the long term.
With regard to the different reference brands, let yourself be guided by hospitals, look at the brands used by professionals and Radiologists friends. Once you have made your choice, you will only have to try it before you adopt it.
Looking to buy ultrasound machine for your clinic in Iraq, Contact us.
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Never Compromise on Quality
Saaeda: The region’s most trusted and well-known supplier of healthcare solutions & medical equipment
We are keen to train our employees to be ready to serve our valued customers and We also train our customers on the optimal use of our devices so that they can benefit as much as possible from the products features which will let them develop their healthcare business
We take in consideration warehousing & temperature conditions (Cold Chain) when transport our equipment as these items need an extra level of care.
Our customers rely on us for accurate results and diagnosis, so we make sure to deliver what achieve the confidence you need.
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