Reviews and News on Ultrasound Machines

As one of the largest markets for the manufacture of diagnostic imaging equipment in the world, the United States accounted for more than 35 percent of the global marketplace in 2009. Thanks to a population that is growing older and greater availability of healthcare, the value of this market is expected to reach $7.7 billion within the next five years. Despite expected cuts in Medicare’s physician’s fees and lower reimbursements overall, imaging equipment manufacturers see incredible growth opportunities in key areas such as ultrasound technology.
As more people around the globe are expected to have access to healthcare in 2011, and personal incomes continue to increase, many facilities in Brazil, China and India are installing more advanced equipment, including diagnostic imaging machines. With an increase in sales of higher-end systems, global revenues from these systems are likely to rise from $2.1 billion in 2009 to over $5 billion in 2016.
While all types of diagnostic imaging machines are included in these projections, the fastest growing diagnostic tool is ultrasound. The major players in this space include Philips Healthcare, Siemens Healthcare and GE Healthcare, each of which manufactures several different products to serve the global diagnostic imaging market. While all three of these companies have strong ties within the US and Europe, they are all heavily targeting the BRIC nations (Brazil, India, China), as well as other emerging economies, for potential acquisitions.
Increasingly, major manufacturers of diagnostic ultrasound machines and nuclear imaging systems are seeking updated information on the market dynamics that will influence their penetration into new markets. Other medical equipment manufacturers are also exploring their potential as “global suppliers”. The six key market categories for these companies are computed tomography (CT) systems, , MRI systems, nuclear imaging equipment, x-ray systems, mammography equipment and ultrasound machines.
As technological advances are made on an almost-daily basis, Siemens, GE and Philips are poised for double-digit growth in the years to come.

Ultrasound Machine Tags: Portable Ultrasound, portable ultrasound machines, Ultrasound Machines, Used Medical Equipment

A common knee problem has become even more prevalent in recent years, and the pain it causes has been the impetus for many people to consider getting knee surgery. While they rarely present any major issues for patients outside of knee pain, a Baker cyst was always a difficult issue to detect. Now, when patients are unsure of the source of knee pain, doctors are using a quick ultrasound machine scan to determine the cause.

A Baker cyst develops when excess fluid in the knee joint accumulates and protrudes from the back of the knee. Also known as the popliteal area, any significant swelling in the back of the knee can cause severe discomfort in the knee joint. In the case of Baker cyst, this excess fluid is trapped in sac of fluid that is named after the condition’s original British founder, Dr. William Morrant Baker.

Even for patients who do not already have arthritis (swelling of the joints), a Baker cyst is a common cause of degenerative osteoarthritis. It is a condition that is seen in children who suffer from juvenile arthritis as well as people with rheumatoid arthritis and other knee-related issues.

While a Baker cyst can often be seen with the naked eye and appear as a bulge behind the affected knee, they are usually a soft cyst and not very tender. However, without proper diagnosis, many sufferers may be unsure of the pain’s source. Ultrasound machine testing is a primary tool for discovering a Baker cyst, but another form of imaging called an arthrogram is also used, and in some cases an MRI.

Complications can arise if a Baker cyst ruptures, which can cause the fluid to descend into the calf muscles and rapid swelling in the leg that gives the appearance of phlebitis. A suspected rupture should be seen by a doctor immediately.

Ultrasound Machine Tags: Portable Ultrasound, portable ultrasound machines, Ultrasound Machines, Used Medical Equipment

When 4D ultrasound imaging first became available to the medical profession, the first question many asked was “what is the 4th dimension?” A legitimate question, since we don’t live in a four-dimensional world. But when the element of time is added to the process of ultrasound imaging, a static picture takes on the appearance of a live action image.

So much of the recent news about ultrasound machine technology has focused on its uses outside of obstetrics and gynecology that it is refreshing to hear about new developments with the use of ultrasound on a developing fetus. While health professionals get used to the idea of a 3D ultrasound, another new technique has already arrived – 4D ultrasound. Now, expectant couples can see a 4D ultrasound video of their unborn baby, save it on disk, drop it in an email, or add it to their Facebook page for the whole family to see.

But 4D ultrasound isn’t just for vanity’s sake. It also can be used for specific medical reasons, including:

* Evaluating the viability of multiple pregnancies
* Analyzing the baby’s development
* Determining the age of the fetus
* Detecting structural problems with the uterus
* Detecting ovarian or fibroid tumors
* Detecting abnormal bleeding, ectopic pregnancies or placental abnormalities
* Discovering problems with the baby’s heart, skeletal or vascular system.

When a more thorough ultrasound may be necessary for medical reasons in high risk pregnancies, getting this type of ultrasound isn’t always covered by insurance. Having a 3D or 4D ultrasound of a healthy fetus is not usually covered by health insurance. Many “boutique” ultrasound machine clinics have cropped up for the commercial sale of 3D and 4D ultrasound images to expectant couples. While there is certainly enough demand for pictures like these, doctors still debate about the safety of taking ultrasound images outside of a medical setting. A hospital or doctors office is still the best place to have an ultrasound scan performed during pregnancy.

Ultrasound Machine Tags: Portable Ultrasound, portable ultrasound machines, Ultrasound Machines, Used Medical Equipment