GE Vscan Extend Review:
The flip phone became outdated and now most people are used to living with a smart phone that much more intuitive, simple and fast. The GE Vscan Extend is shaped exactly like your smart phone and provides a similar interface such as tap and swipe through simple screens. Like a smart phone, its extended Apps with larger memory capacity increase clinical utilities and assessment accuracy with easier and more convenient workflow.
The probe, cable and system are one piece like the previous Vscan series, but the GE Vscan Extend easily and completely enables to clean and sanitize itself. Otherwise for clinical application points of view and line of transducer sets, it is the same as the GE Vscan and the GE Vscan with Dual Probe. However, if customers in hospitals emphasize the importance of seamless documentation with wireless DICOM data transfer, the GE Vscan Extend would be a good solution.
The GE Vscan series are all-in-one piece types of handheld ultrasound. However, GE’s competitors are moving fast. Handheld ultrasound solutions connected to smart device are getting popular with both wired and wireless functions. One of most competitive personal ultrasounds is the Lumify from Philips. The price point is similar, but the Lumify connects and displays larger resolution image on tablet devices. The other strong competing personal ultrasound is iQ from Butterfly. Butterfly iQ applies totally new transducer technology with new and unprecedented materials, not using conventional ceramic material anymore. Furthermore, the Butterfly iQ with one probe solution provides linear, convex, and phased array solutions. Only one critical issue of the Butterfly iQ is that it is not yet launched into the market.
GE Vscan Extend Probes/Transducers:
Two transducers(sector and linear) or one sector in a single probe
• Phased array transducer for deep scanning: Bandwidth from 1.7 to 3.8 MHz
• Linear array transducer for shallow scanning: Bandwidth from 3.3 to 8.0 MHz
GE Vscan Extend Features:
• Vscan Extend device with either sector probe or dual probe
• Global AC adapter with interchangeable region-specific plugs
• One rechargeable battery
• USB cable
• Two MicroSD memory cards
• Soft case
• Use manual
• Hardcopy Quick card
• Gel (60g bottle)
• Distance measurement
• Assisted bladder volume measurement (Vscan extend app available through GE Marketplace)
GE Vscan Extend Peripheral Options:
• Additional soft case
• Robust case to carry complete Vscan Extend set
• Robust case to carry only scanner, gel, and potential extra battery
• External battery charger
• Additional battery
• Additional AC adapter
• Hardcopy user manual
GE Vscan Extend Applications:
• Cardiac
• Abdominal
• Renal
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Urology
• Fetal
• Evaluation of presence of fluid
• Peripheral vascular
• Procedure guidance for arterial and venous vessels
• Imaging guidance for needle/catheter placement
• Thoracic/lung
• Thyroid and other small organs
• Long bone
• Hip and knee joints
• Pediatric
GE Vscan Extend FAQs:
GE Market Place (available option with Wi-Fi Access or DICOM configuration) is a host of Vscan Extend apps available over the internet, and lets customers’ access available apps for the GE Vscan Extend with screenshots and additional information before download. Apps selectively downloadable over the internet for installation on the device.
Vscan Web Portal is an online service to enhance the Vscan experience by providing resources from product information to clinical and service support. Also, the Vscan Web Portal is allowed to learn specific application references and product education, including an interactive basic ultrasound anatomy section, probe placement tips and reminders, and example images. In addition, the GE Vscan Extend enables users to enjoy more education resources including webinars, further online programs, and training opportunities on the Vscan Web Portal.