Reviews and News on Ultrasound Machines

Ultrasound machines technology is now being favored over the use of rectal palpation to reveal reproductive details and management of beef cows. Veterinarians and farmers are able to use digital ultrasound imaging to view a cow’s uterus and ovaries to determine pregnancy and fetal sex. Early pregnancy diagnosis is almost 100 percent accurate, approximately twenty days after breeding occurs.

Advantages of Ultrasound Examination

For examination purposes, an ultrasound transducer, placed into the cow’s rectum which reveals black and white digital imaging of the uterus and ovaries. The advantages of this technology are numerous. First, ultrasonography is more successful in determining if the fetus is alive than rectal palpation. If a dead embryo is detected during an ultrasound, drug treatment may immediately be given (e.g., Estrumate, Prostamate, or Lutalyse to quickly expel the dead embryo and the animal can be rebred sooner. Another advantage is that fetal aging is more precise. Fetal measurement which was once estimated by hand, can now be measured on the ultrasound screen, and there is less handling of the pregnant tract, thereby reducing the risk of embryonic death. Ultrasound technology is also beneficial for determining the sex of a fetus early in the pregnancy. The sex of a fetus can be determined 55 days after conception using ultrasound technology. Knowing the sex of a fetus is imperative when merchandising cows or heifers to a buyer. Lastly, utilizing ultrasound machines with pregnant livestock can also save ranchers on feed costs since they are able to move pregnant cows out of pens and onto pastures to feed sooner than they previously would have without early pregnancy diagnosis.

Ultrasound Cost

Farm use ultrasound machines can range from $5,000 to $12,000. A ranch may choose to purchase an ultrasound machine or hire a trained technician or veterinarian. For occasional work, it may prove more affordable to hire out. However, if large numbers of animals are being checked, veterinarian costs can soar. On average, a veterinarian can charge $8.00 for each animal requiring an ultrasound compared to the standard $1.00 fee charged for rectal palpation. Ultimately, only the ranchers can determine if purchasing an ultrasound machine is a cost effective solution for their own personal needs.

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

GE has developed a mobile, palm-sized ultrasound machine called a VScan that enables medical professionals to bring the ultrasound to the patient rather than take the patient to the ultrasound. VScan provides ease and convenience and is no larger than the average smart phone. Priced under $10,000, this hand-held pocket portable diagnostic device provides patients with a non-invasive scan and can be utilized in obstetrics and beyond.

VScan can be used for diagnostic imaging of the heart, abdomen, joints, limbs and pelvis. Colored moving images display are able to provide doctors with a clear view of blood flowing around the heart and enable them to see the heart valves open and close. Ultrasound technicians and other medical professionals who have used this portable ultrasound machine claim that the convenience of VScan is well worth the cost.

The VScan serves as an “electronic stethoscope” that is able to view all parts of the human body. It is capable of servicing a variety of clinical settings such as intensive care, primary care, and home care. This technology will most likely be a standard staple in the near future for paramedics on ambulances, doctors on hospital ward rounds, military battlefields, and health care providers assisting patients in third world countries. Now that patients do not have wait to schedule ultrasound appointments, they can be diagnosed quickly and treated accordingly and the portability allows for scanning whenever and wherever it is needed.

GE VScan features include:

· 1 hour battery life (per 1 hour charge)

· Alternate battery with separate charger

· USB docking station

· 3 standard settings (OB-Gyn, CV, and Abd)

· Color flow Doppler

· Voice recording of patient information during scan

· Thumb control technology for gain and zoom

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

Approximately two million Americans a year are diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis, a tearing, inflammatory, and degeneration of a long ligament at the sole of the foot that extends from the heel to the toes. Today, doctors are routinely using diagnostic ultrasound machines image technology which is usually done during a clinical examination of the feet and includes the consideration of the patient’s physical activity, medical history, and symptoms.

Plantar Fasciitis is a condition that is commonly associated with athletes, or persons possessing a high body mass index who have reported extended and frequent periods of weight bearing. Patients diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis face a higher risk of developing future knee problems and therefore it is important that it is treated early. Patients often complain that the pain is most intense at the beginning of the day on the underside of the heel, or while bending the foot. Common non-surgical treatments are effective for approximately 90% of patients that are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis within twelve months of treatment.
Common conservative treatment includes:

· Rest

· Weight loss

· Taping

· Customized orthotics

· Massage therapy

· Stretching

· Icing/cold therapy

· Night Splints

· Anti-inflammatory medications

· Steroid injections

However, for patients diagnosed with chronic cases of plantar fasciitis, non-surgical treatment can only provide short-term pain relief. For sufferers requiring surgery, there are several surgical options that provide long-term relief, such as: open heel surgery, endoscopic plantar fascial release and coblation therapy. Risks involved with surgical procedures may include: infection, rupture, and nerve injury of the plantar fasciitis. In the cases that require more a more aggressive surgical treatment, The American Journal of American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA) has reported conclusive research that proves that using ultrasound machines technology is safe and effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis in patients with chronic conditions.

Ultrasound technology provides patients with a minimally invasive procedure and at the same times allows physicians better visibility while guiding the small arthroscopic instruments that are inserted in the plantar fascia and used to disrupt any fibrous tissue. The use of ultrasound in surgery is also effective at minimizing any damage to surrounding tissue or and faster healing time.

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