United Medical Instruments - Diagnostic Ultrasound Blog!

Pain Management Clinics Benefit from Diagnostic Ultrasound

Posted by Leslie Patton on Fri, Mar 22, 2013 @ 14:03 PM

Physicians from many specialties are prescribing exercise for health conditions such as: obesity, heart disease, elevated cholesterol, stress, high blood pressure and musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

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Topics: msk ultrasound, musculoskeletal ultrasound, UMI Blog, Diagnostic Ultrasound, laptop ultrasound machine, pain management ultrasound, ultrasound guidance joint injections

10 Reasons Why You Need Diagnostic Ultrasound

Posted by Leslie Patton on Wed, Dec 26, 2012 @ 11:12 AM
There are more people present and living longer than in the past.  For sonographic professionals this means a range of patient services are needed to meet the health demands of the population.  
Diagnostic ultrasound covers a range of clinical applications including: For physicians considering ways to diversify patient services, ultrasound is an excellent diagnostic tool to improve patient care. Many options for ultrasound machines are available, meeting budgetary requirements.  The cost of an ultrasound machine may be less expensive than you thought.  Choices are available for cart-based or portable ultrasound machines, allowing for practice flexibility.

Below are 10 reasons to include diagnostic ultrasound in your practice:

 

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Topics: portable ultrasound machine, cost of ultrasound machine, Diagnostic Ultrasound, ob/gyn ultrasound, laptop ultrasound machine, portable ultrasound system, Used Ultrasound Machine, pain management ultrasound, cart based ultrasound machine

How to Justify the Cost of Ultrasound Machine Purchase

Posted by Leslie Patton on Fri, Dec 14, 2012 @ 11:12 AM
Advances in ultrasound machines have expanded in the years to now rival image quality of more expensive imaging modalities such as MRI and CT, yet at the fraction of the price and yielding real time results for improved patient care.

With a growing aged population and pressure to provide improved patient services, in-office diagnostic ultrasound exams continue to grow.  From portable ultrasound machines to cart-based, and with a price range for every budget - whether a new or refurbished ultrasound machine, if you're looking to improve patient care, it's time to investigate your options.  The clinical applications are vast, enabling physicians to grow their practices.  Some of the popular areas for ultrasound are:
Below are some basic tips to justifying the cost of an ultrasound machine purchase for your practice:

 

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Topics: portable ultrasound machine, Diagnostic Ultrasound, portable ultrasound system, compact ultrasound system, Used Ultrasound Machine, pain management ultrasound

Save Money Now on Ultrasound Machine Purchase!

Posted by Leslie Patton on Tue, Nov 13, 2012 @ 09:11 AM
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Topics: portable ultrasound machine, Diagnostic Ultrasound, Vein Care, ob/gyn ultrasound, laptop ultrasound machine, portable ultrasound system, compact ultrasound system, Used Ultrasound Machine, pain management ultrasound

Treating Varicose Veins: Budding Business Opportunity

Posted by Leslie Patton on Tue, Nov 6, 2012 @ 11:11 AM

One in three adults over the age of 50 suffers from varicose vein issues. With that type of statistic, physicians may see an opportunity to add valuable services to their patients. There are conservative approaches to treating veins as well as much more invasive methods such as the following:

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Topics: Diagnostic Ultrasound, Vein Care, onsite ultrasound training

New Fly Thru Ultrasound Technology from Toshiba Makes the Diagnosis

Posted by Leslie Patton on Fri, Sep 7, 2012 @ 09:09 AM
Fly Thru Technology from Toshiba is innovative and forward-thinking, combining other imaging technologies found on larger and more expensive modalities.   According to a press release from Toshiba America, it is described as follows:

 

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Topics: Toshiba Viamo, portable ultrasound machine, United Medical Instruments, UMI Blog, Diagnostic Ultrasound, laptop ultrasound machine, portable ultrasound system, compact ultrasound system, Used Ultrasound Machine, Toshiba Ultrasound, Fly Thru Ultrasound Technology

Which Portable Ultrasound Machine is Right for You?

Posted by Leslie Patton on Fri, Sep 7, 2012 @ 09:09 AM

Compact ultrasound, portable ultrasound machine, hand-held ultrasound system….. regardless of which name you use, the general category is still the same: small, laptop-sized ultrasound machine that, in most models, packs as much punch as its cart-based brothers. According to our guru in the ultrasound industry, Harvey Klein, portable ultrasound machines are defined as “compact ultrasound systems…..weighing 14 pounds or less, including handheld, hand-carried, and laptop machines.” Others don’t put the weight specification as a defining characteristic, but instead think of it as moveable between locations.

The main selling point being that as point-of care demands increase, the portable ultrasound machines can easily be used in the Emergency Department, small physician practice or sports medicine clinic, wherever imaging needs to be brought to the patient, avoiding the need for the patient to be moved. But the question is, which machine is right for you?

Some physicians still believe that a full-sized 100 pound ultrasound machine is the only device that will yield the imaging results required to make a diagnosis. In many cases that’s just not true. Yes, 3D/4D technology requires more processing power that 2D imaging, and there are certain features that still can only be found on the cart-based ultrasound system. However, for many diagnostic imaging needs the portable ultrasound machine is the perfect solution – with its ease of use, comparable image quality, needle guided software, and affordable pricing.

At United Medial Instruments, Inc. we offer both new and used portable ultrasound machines. A quick breakdown follows:

GE Logiq e

A 10-pound, fully shared service, easy to use machine with the following stand-out features:
    • Panoramic Imaging
    • Split Screen – show two images side by side while live scanning
    • 3D imaging
    • Needle Visualization

Siemens Acuson P300

A 26-pound, workhorse portable ultrasound machine for a variety of clinical markets including: OB/GYN, Cardiovascular, general imaging and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Stand-out features are:
    • Panoramic imaging
    • Speckle reduction and compounding
    • Intra-operative and laprascopic transducers for interventional procedures, including an exceptional 18MHZ high frequency probe

Toshiba Viamo

An 18-pound laptop ultrasound machine that shines in all clinical markets from Cardiovascular to OB/GYN to Musculoskeletal. Stand-out features are:
    • Advanced Dynamic Flow – allows for directional color Doppler – see low flow every time
    • Application-specific calculations
    • Flexible modes with either tablet and touch-screen or keyboard

What are you waiting for?! Contact us today to schedule your FREE online virtual demo of one of these new compact ultrasound machines, visit our website to learn more, http://www.umiultrasound.com/  or give us a call, 877.490.7036.
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Topics: Toshiba Viamo, portable ultrasound machine, United Medical Instruments, UMI Blog, Diagnostic Ultrasound, laptop ultrasound machine, portable ultrasound system, compact ultrasound system, point of care ultrasound, GE Logiq e, Siemens Acuson P300

A Sonographer's Opinion on Portable Ultrasound Machines

Posted by Leslie Patton on Fri, Sep 7, 2012 @ 09:09 AM

Compact ultrasound, Portable ultrasound machine, hand-held ultrasound system….. regardless of which name you use, the general category is still the same: small, laptop-sized ultrasound machine that, in most models, packs as much punch as its cart-based brothers. Recently I sat down with sonographer Grace Smith, RDMS (AB, OB/Gyn and RVT), ARRT – RT(R), owner of NWI Mobile Ultrasound to get her perspective on compact ultrasound machines.


Question: What is your background with ultrasound and experience level with both cart-based and portable ultrasound systems?

Answer: I have been a sonographer for a decade now, registered in OB, Abdominal, and Vascular, and have worked in the hospital setting for 5 years, including hospitals such as Johns Hopkins.   I was the Program Director for ultrasound at Sanford-Brown College, and most recently have started my own mobile imaging company. While working in the hospital settings, I used a full-sized ultrasound system. However, I have seen excellent technology changes in portable ultrasound systems that make them comparable to the larger hospital-based systems.

Question: In your experience do you see the portable ultrasound market growing?

Answer: Yes, it’s definitely a growing industry. Unfortunately, there are many physicians who are not aware of the excellent image quality portable units provide.   Some portable ultrasound machines are better than others, i.e. more powerful imaging, but in general, when compared to the larger systems, they hold their own.

Question: What are your thoughts on the SonoSite machines compared to the Toshiba Viamo portable ultrasound system?

Answer: I’ve used both systems in my mobile business and although the SonoSite has great image quality it lacks some features that the Viamo has. Our company provides sonograms of the heart (echocardiograms), abdomen, OB/GYN, Vascular including extremities, small parts, musculoskeletal and nerve blocks so we really need an ultrasound machine that can do everything well. We found this to be the case with the Toshiba Viamo and we especially like how user-friendly the system is with its unique touch-screen capability.

Question: It sounds like you have really embraced the laptop ultrasound market. What advice would you give to anyone looking to buy a portable ultrasound machine?

Answer: Well, as sonographers, we are required to go to school and complete the education and skills needed to acquire great diagnostic images. For physicians, I would suggest hiring a trained sonographer or acquiring the necessary education and scanning skills to get quality diagnostic images. This also includes learning the physics of ultrasound. Only trained personnel should scan patients.

To learn more about NWI Mobile ultrasound, please visit their website www.nwimobileultrasound.com. To discuss our portable ultrasound solutions, give us a call at 877.490.7036 or visit our website at www.umiultrasound.com and request a FREE online virtual demo!

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Topics: portable ultrasound machine, United Medical Instruments, Mobile Ultrasound Company, Diagnostic Ultrasound, laptop ultrasound machine, portable ultrasound system

Women with Dense Breast Tissue Benefit from Ultrasound Screening

Posted by Leslie Patton on Mon, Jul 23, 2012 @ 06:07 AM

Women with dense breast tissue are at a disadvantage when it comes to cancer screening which can be

detrimental because those with dense breasts are also at higher risk. Dense breast tissue consists of a lot of glands, ducts, tissues and fibrous with less fat that other breast tissue. In the case of mammograms abnormalities are not always detected. However, when ultrasound is included there is a better chance of visualizing lesions. Ideally, the ultrasound system will have clear resolution, high frequency transducer, such as the VF10-5 found on the Siemens Acuson X300 ultrasound machine, as well as biopsy capability in case a needle guided procedure is required during the exam.

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Topics: Siemens Acuson X300, UMI Blog, Diagnostic Ultrasound

American College of Cardiology Guidelines for Vascular Ultrasound

Posted by Leslie Patton on Mon, Jun 18, 2012 @ 10:06 AM

Guidelines Established by American College of Cardiology for Appropriate Use of Ultrasound for Peripheral Vascular Testing


As reimbursement cuts continue to be made, determining if and when a diagnostic test is necessary is becoming more prevalent. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) collaborated with 10 other medical organizations to develop a set of guidelines to assist clinicians with their decision making process for diagnostic testing. The group focused on determining testing appropriateness for vascular ultrasound and functional testing for patients with suspected or known non-coronary arterial disorders.



Ultrasound is a cost-effective diagnostic tool that provides information to physicians needing to evaluate vascular blockages and disease in areas such as arteries of the neck, kidneys, abdomen, and lower extremities. In addition to be used as a screening measure, ultrasound is also used for determining the status post peripheral vascular procedures, such as arterial bypass, surgical removal of plaque (endarterectomy), or stenting.


The team used a rating scale coupled with timeframe intervals. According to the press release "The group found arterial vascular testing to be "appropriate" in about half of the clinical situations evaluated. Overall, vascular studies were deemed appropriate when clinical signs and symptoms were the main reason for testing. For example, Dr. Mohler explains it is reasonable to order a lower extremity vascular study for a patient who reports calf pain upon walking that resolves with rest. Tests that were conducted in patients with existing atherosclerotic disease or to establish a "baseline" after a revascularization procedure were also considered appropriate based on ratings."

The panel also looked at areas where testing would not be useful and found that one in five uses of vascular testing were deemed to be "inappropriate". Some examples are:

    • Ordering an ultrasound of the carotids or neck arteries in someone at low risk for heart attack or stroke.
    • Screening for kidney artery disease in someone with peripheral artery disease with well controlled high blood pressure (hypertension) on one medication
    • Choosing to perform an abdominal ultrasound in a patient with non-specific lower extremity discomfort
    • Ordering a mesenteric artery ultrasound (arteries that supply the small and large intestines) as an initial test to evaluate the patient with chronic constipation or diarrhea
    • Having current ultrasound technology in a clinician's facility is essential for careful diagnosis. To learn more about our recommended Toshiba Viamo portable ultrasound machine for vascular procedures, click here.
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Topics: Toshiba Viamo, portable ultrasound machine, United Medical Instruments, UMI Blog, Diagnostic Ultrasound