Recommended systems: Philips Epiq 7, GE Voluson E8, Voluson E10, Samsung WS80A
Premium women’s health ultrasound machines show off the latest technologies each brand has developed and provide the absolute best image quality for even difficult patients along with the full spectrum functions available. Doctors, especially those in research, educational and clinical environments who need the very best without regard to the price will want to consider the premium segment.
There is no single brand in the women’s health ultrasound market that dominates the others. GE certainly can lay claim to women’s health ultrasounds with the best 4D, while Samsung offers some of the best prices in each price range of women’s health. Philips is known for its ergonomics, smooth, timesaving workflow and reliability.
Some of the premium features common to this segment include high-resolution 4D (known as HD live by GE), shearwave elastrography and automatic measurements that save time. 2D Image quality of course should be amazing. Huge monitors on articulating arms and touchscreens are par for the course as well.
Probo Medical recommends the Philips Epiq 7 as provides the best image quality and broadest set of features among women’s health ultrasounds. The GE Voluson E10 is also an outstanding choice; especially if 4D scans will be a large percentage of your work. The GE Voluson E8 is still an excellent choice, and with the release of the E10, the E8 is becoming more affordable, enhancing its appeal. The Samsung WS80A is perhaps the biggest value in this premium segment as it offers excellent 4D.
What to expect in the premium women’s health ultrasound category
- Amazing image quality in B/D/C
- Realistic 4D image quality (HD Live & FRV)
- Convex, transvaginal and linear 4D transducers (Mechanical & Matrix)
- Wide bandwidth transducers such as the single crystal probes
- Wide FoV (Field of View) linear transducers (up to 50mm)
- Wide FoV transvaginal transducers (up to 200 degrees)
- High frequency (6~12Mhz) transvaginal transducer for 1st trimester
- Breast elastography (Strain is good, shearwave is the best)
- Full Measurement full package for OB/GYN and Breast
- Customizable report page
- Connectivity with EMR, HIS, RIS & 3rd party tools (Sonultra, ViewPoint etc.)
- Fast frame rate for 4D up to 25 volume per second
- Color Flow mapping in 4D for better identification of vascularity
- 4D features: Multi sectional view, Free cut view (oblique view SM)
- 4D features: Curved ROI, Fetal heart navigation, STIC
- Auto Measurement: NT, NB, Femur Length, Follicle, Breast ultrasound CAD
- Fetal heart application including Arbitray M mode
- Offline workstation for 3D & 4D
- Volume needle guide for breast biopsy