EQUIPMENT GUIDE

Even in 2024, the SonoSite M Turbo remains the top choice for ultrasound in the mission field. Despite many new versions and types of ultrasounds, its performance, serviceability, and flexibility are difficult to beat. Alternative choices like Mindray, Chison, and GE may offer good performance and image quality but are challenging to service in-house, have limited exam options, and become cost-ineffective when probes need replacement.

 

For our international mission hospitals, machines can be sent back with a traveler, and new replacements can be dispatched the following week. We also have in-house testing to evaluate both machine and probe quality. All these machines can be equipped with an accessory TV connection, allowing exams to be displayed on a large flatscreen TV with either HDMI or a DVI cable. We usually include these as donations for our mission hospitals, significantly enhancing the patient experience.

Sonosite Edge 2:

If a hospital has a larger budget, upgrading to a SonoSite Edge 2 is an option. This modernized version offers slightly better image quality and a larger screen but costs about twice as much. We do not recommend using anything older than a SonoSite M Turbo at this point. Avoid the Sonosite Micromaxx as it is far too old, and not worth the investment or the cost. Also avoid the Sonosite Edge I, as it is more expensive than the M-Turbo with only a larger screen, but has the same imaging architecture, with no improvement in durability or performance.

 

GE Voluson / CX50 / GE VIVID IQ:

For specific applications like obstetrics, gynecology, and cardiac exams, a larger cart ultrasound could be useful. For laptop-style obstetrical ultrasound, we recommend the GE Voluson I or its larger cart equivalent. For cardiac ultrasound, while the M Turbo remains cost-effective, upgrades to a GE Vivid IQ or Philips CX 50 are options.

 

With any ultrasound, we recommend purchasing a power conditioner to protect from low voltage and dirty power. Additionally, avoid using damaged ultrasound probes (with cracks or cut wires) as they can damage the ultrasound machine itself.

Our organization has been following handheld ultrasounds for years and has thoroughly tested several models. The Butterfly IQ is the most cost-effective and best-value handheld ultrasound. For short-term travel and gross ultrasound examinations, we highly recommend the Butterfly. However, the newer versions have increased in cost, so we recommend against those. If you purchase an aftermarket one, ensure the previous user provides their account login, or you will have to pay for a new account.

 

Alternatives include the Eagleview, and for larger budgets, the GE Vscan Air. The Vscan Air has about a 15% image quality increase but is double the price, making it more suitable for ultrasound aficionados with larger budgets.

 

There are several considerations: if you are a heavy ultrasound user and performing detailed examinations (OB/GYN, gallbladder, ocular, nerve blocks), be warned that the resolution of handheld devices is moderately poor compared to laptop ultrasounds. Handheld devices are suitable for large fluid collections, pregnancy screening, and central line access, but their resolution is inferior to standard ultrasound machines. Battery life is also limited to 1-2 hours, and the probe can get quite hot quickly. While we recommend every missionary team have at least one handheld machine, for longer-term missionaries and those requiring real diagnostic capability, handheld devices like the Butterfly will not suffice for shared service needs.