GE is the leading manufacturer of women’s health ultrasound systems. With three lines of ultrasound units, and three models per line, there are nine potential Voluson ultrasounds available on the market.
One of the most popular units is the Voluson P8 ultrasound machine. This beloved system is popular for its economic cost, high quality ultrasound images, user-friendliness, and durability. Although the unit is not a speciality 3D/4D unit, the newer P8’s are capable of 3D/4D imaging, and even HDLive live 4D imaging.
BT Levels:
The Voluson P8 has been manufactured since the early 2010’s. A top-tier ultrasound system for nearly every facet of women’s health imaging; the P8 has been through many developments and upgrades throughout the years.
Generally speaking, the BT level is synonymous with the systems date of manufacturing, or DOM. With a few exceptions, the BT is considered the software, and the hardware - or actual ultrasound computer, can only support that year’s software.
This being said, there are a few BT levels that leads to a jump in imaging quality:
BT’14:
The Voluson P8 BT’14 is reliable, produces quality images, and is compatible with some of the more popular GE transducers, like the 4C-RS, E8C-RS, 9L-RS, and the newer C1-5-RS (the upgraded 4C-RS).
It is also compatible with the RAB4-8-RS, RAB2-5-RS, or RAB2-6-RS curved array 3D/4D ultrasound probes. This, coupled with the RIC5-9-RS 3D/4D vaginal probe, makes the P8 quite a versatile ultrasound system.
BT’16:
The BT’16 Voluson P8 is equipped with a beautiful new LCD screen, and a higher quality 3D/4D ultrasound image. It has higher imaging resolution, and is compatible with the newest probes on the market, including the RAB6-RS, IC5-9-RS, and RIC5-9w-RS transducers.
Additionally, the HDLive feature found on the BT16 systems - providing a huge upgrade from standard 3D/4D imaging.
BT’18:
From 2018-2021, the Voluson P8 was pretty much stagnant, and the units changed incrementally. Obviously, the newer box would be less likely to experience technical issues, but for most customers, a BT’18 that was manufactured in ’18, is just the same as a 2020 unit.
Popular Applications:
Although the Voluson P8 is specifically manufactured for women’s healthcare imaging, there are many applications within the realm of women’s health.
4C-RS / C1-5-RS:
Abdominal imaging, obstetrics imaging, pelvic / hip imaging, fetal face, fetal heart chambers, aortic color flow, fetal spine, umbilical chord doppler, and imaging for each of the three trimesters.
IC5-9-RS, E8C-RS: HD-Flow Uterus, tomographic imaging in uterus, follicle count, early fetus imaging, gestational sack, urology, and other gynecological studies.
12L-RS: Vascular, breast, MSK, small parts, pediatric MSK, peripheral vascular studies.
There is always the concern, particularly when it comes to medical equipment, regarding the safety of the devices and the potential side effects that occur as a result of employing these machines.
It is important to know that ultrasound machines are known to be completely harmless. They function through the utilization of sound waves emitting from the probe or transducer. These sound waves are then translated into images by the ultrasound machine or system. There is no need to fear when using ultrasound machines – it is a quick, easy and efficient way to diagnose and help determine a patient’s ails.
At A.M.E. Ultrasounds we pride ourselves on providing top quality customer service. If you have a particular topic you’d be interested in learning more about or reading about, feel free to contact us!
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Your team at A.M.E. Ultrasounds
Ephraim@ameultrasounds.com
