Sonosite: Turning the tide in ultrasound technology

Ultrasonography has been used by physicians for many years, but in the past twenty years the technology has improved significantly – it is now more compact, portable, can create higher-quality images and is less expensive. Point-of-care (POC) ultrasound is a safe and effective form of mobile imaging defined as “ultrasonography brought to the patient and performed by the provider in real time”. It is used at the bedside or point-of-care for immediate diagnosis or procedure guidance purposes.

POC ultrasound has many proven advantages. Technological advancements in ultrasound systems are providing great benefits in point-of-care delivery. POC ultrasound has become an extension of the clinical examination and the evidence for benefits from use of POC ultrasound is significantly expanding. It is not only accurate, rapid, non-expensive, non-invasive and radiation free, but can be used in both stable and unstable patients. Point-of-care ultrasound may also be performed parallel to physical examination, revival and stabilisation. Knowledge, training, technical proficiency, critical decision making, and imagination are gradually making it another stethoscope. Advantages include improved diagnosis and treatment based on clinician-obtained real-time images, reduced risk of iatrogenic complications when used for procedure guidance, and decreased length of stay and cost of care as a result. Conventionally earlier ultrasound machines were used only in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology but with technological advancements, point-of-care ultrasound systems have found wide applications in emergency, critical care, anaesthesiology, sports medicine, pain management, rheumatology, paediatric, dermatology, surgery, oncology, cardiology, and trauma etc.

In remote locations where access to the larger ultrasound machines is limited, healthcare providers can carry portable systems that deliver the same diagnostic capabilities as their larger counterparts. Being lightweight, hand-carried ultrasound systems can be carried directly to the patients, enabling one to perform safe, efficient and more informed diagnostic decisions. Modern hand-carried ultrasound systems are easy to understand, boot up very quickly and have excellent image quality with good battery backup. These are the desired key features that a healthcare practitioner always seeks in a system.

In critical cases like accident, trauma where patients are mostly immobile, point-of-care technology can reach patients where they are, be it along the roadside. The immediate results obtained through onsite ultrasound help speed up diagnosis, which, in turn, can lead to more appropriate interventions.

SonoSite, the world leader in mountable and point-of-care ultrasound offers solutions that meet the imaging needs of the medical community. Designed to help meet the new standards of patient care, SonoSite systems are perfect diagnostic ultrasound tool for clinical assessment and procedural guidance at the hospital bedside and in the physician’s office.

Learning a new ultrasound technique or procedure can be challenging. The accuracy of the ultrasound technique and results also rely on one’s skills, experience, education and training. SonoSite recognises the importance of training and education to support the learning needs of the physicians. The company has teamed up with some of the leading specialists in the medical industry to design a series of courses focusing on POC ultrasound. Courses are designed to teach those who have little or no experience in the use of ultrasound in their daily practice. Our various products available in the market are dedicated to bring high quality ultrasound to patients.

EDGE ULTRASOUND MACHINE

The Edge ultrasound system’s enhanced image quality aids your diagnostic confidence. A solid aluminium core helps to protect your investment for the long term. And a splash-resistant silicone keyboard makes cleaning and disinfection that much easier. With the Edge ultrasound system, you have access to a new generation of POC ultrasound visualisation.

M-TURBO ULTRASOUND MACHINE

The M-Turbo ultrasound system offers striking image quality. Our most versatile system for abdominal, nerve, vascular, cardiac, venous access, pelvic, and superficial imaging. The M-Turbo ultrasound system gives you striking image quality with sharp contrast resolution and clear tissue delineation. This ultrasound equipment lets you visualise detail, improving your ability to differentiate structures, vessels and pathology.

S SERIES ULTRASOUND SYSTEMS

S Series ultrasound machines are the industry’s first mountable ultrasound. They offer a zero footprint and can be mounted on a wall, the ceiling, or a stand.

Our mountable ultrasound systems have a simplified control that let you focus in on your target areas in a matter of seconds. High-resolution images help you see exactly where to perform procedures and allow for accurate diagnoses when treating patients. The S Series ultrasound machines are built to meet US military standards for durability. They boot up quickly, are lightweight, and are built with intuitive designs for ease of use.

NANOMAXX ULTRASOUND MACHINE

The NanoMaxx ultrasound system combines best-in-class performance with affordability and simplicity. With its uniquely simple control, high-quality diagnostic imaging, colour power Doppler and colour-flow velocity, the NanoMaxx ultrasound system helps physicians make clinical decisions or guide interventional procedures. Not only is the NanoMaxx a portable ultrasound machine, it uses proprietary technology so you can optimise many system settings at the touch of one dial.

MICROMAXX ULTRASOUND MACHINE

The MicroMaxx ultrasound system offers impressive image quality with minimal keystrokes, wireless data transfer, fluid-resistance for easy cleaning and disinfection, and extreme durability.

Designed to make your job easier, faster and more accurate, the MicroMaxx ultrasound system makes point-of-care ultrasound an affordable reality. From busy offices and big-city hospitals to critical-care situations where seconds count, the MicroMaxx ultrasound equipment boots up within 15 seconds. The system software is hard-wired and purpose-built for faster boot-up times, faster digital image processing, and the ability to run for a long time. Power is efficiently used, extending battery life for use wherever needed.