Introduction
At A.M.E. Ultrasounds, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the most honest, direct and useful advice and information when it comes to their ultrasound needs. Our blog articles, until now, have been primarily focused on explaining ultrasounds: how they work, the history of ultrasounds, in-depth analysis of various popular systems, and more. Now, we at A.M.E. are publishing a new series that delivers you, our readers and customers, information regarding the most popular economical ultrasound systems.
GE Logiqbook XP:
The GE Logiqbook XP has been, and remains until today, one of the most reliable, durable, and versatile ultrasound machines available. Capable of projecting images for a wide range of applications, compatible with many different transducers, physically engineered for portability and compact, this system is our go-to recommended economic ultrasound.
Application Versatility:
The Logiqbook XP is, like many other popular GE systems, a general ultrasound machine. It does not specialize in one particular application (as opposed to a system like the GE Voluson E or GE Vivid i), but can be used to reliably produce images for the following applications;
- Abdominal
- OB-GYN
- Vascular
- Cardiac (excluding continuous wave)
- Small Parts
- Musculoskeletal
- Urological
- Pediatric and Neonatal
This flexibility makes the Logiqbook XP all the more desirable to general diagnosticians, pediatricians, and sonographers that work with various practices. It has earned a reputation for being a jack-of-all-trades system, subsequently keeping it in high demand for over a decade.
Probes and Transducers:
In addition to application diversity, the Logiqbook XP is also compatible with many ultrasound transducers. GE, when engineering their machines and transducers, made nearly all of their probes and transducers that have small connectors compatible with all of their portable systems. These probes, designed for portable systems, all have the letters “RS” at the end of the name. One of the most popular Logiqbook transducers, for both doctors and veterinarians, is the 8C-RS. If the probe was for a regular ultrasound machine, however, one would search for the 8C probe.
If you have a logiqbook XP, and are looking to upgrade to another portable system, such as the Logiq E, Vivid i, or the Voluson e, the transducers and probes from your Logiqbook will most likely be compatible with the rest of the systems. Some of the probes that are compatible with the Logiqbook XP include:
- 8C-RS micro-convex probe
- 4C-RS curved array probe
- 9L-RS linear array probe
- E8C-RS endocavitary probe
- i12l-RS hockey stick array probe
General Details:
The Logiqbook XP is an extremely user-friendly machine that is extremely easy to employ. It ways approximately seven pounds (without any probes connected), and can connect with a GE ultrasound cart – turning the laptop system into a more stationary and secure system. The price for the Logiqbook XP ranges anywhere between $3500 – $5000 for the box, with each probe costing anywhere between $1300 – $1800 a piece.
Mindray M5 portable ultrasound machine (Left) GE Logiqbook XP (Right)
Mindray M5 Portable Ultrasound Machine:
The Mindray M5 is a more modern ultrasound system than the Logiqbook XP, but doesn’t have the same prestigious reputation. It is, however, aesthetically sleeker, more advanced in it’s image enhancing technology and is also a shared service system. It is compatible with a comparable number of transducers, and is one of A.M.E.’s top recommended economic ultrasounds.
Application Diversity:
The M5 is capable of producing images for many of the same applications as the Logiqbook XP, but is more advanced regarding doppler images and cardiac images. All in all, the Mindray M5 is capable of producing images for the following applications:
- Abdominal
- OB-GYN
- Cardiac
- Vascular
- Small Parts
- Musculoskeletal
- Urological
In addition to being able to provide images for these applications, the M5 is also capable of producing power and color doppler images. It also employs advanced image enhancing technologies to strengthen the quality of the images it captures. Tissue Harmonic Imaging, Panoramic Imaging and Speckle Reduction Imaging are just a few examples of these technologies.
Probes and Transducers:
The Mindray M5 is compatible with a variety of ultrasound probes and transducers. These probes are designed, similar to the popular Sonosite ultrasound systems, to be compatible specifically with one system. The probes that are compatible with the M5 end with “s”. Therefore, while one may have a 3C1a or 3C1 Mindray transducer, the M5 is only compatible with the 3C1s probe. Other probes that the M5 is compatible with include:
- Mindray 3C5s Curved Array Probe
- Mindray 3C1s Micro- Convex Array Probe
- Mindray 6C2s Micro-Convex Array Probe
- Mindray 6CV1s Endocavitary Probe
- Mindray 7L4s Linear Array Probe
- Mindray 7L6s Linear Array Probe
- Mindray 10L4s Linear Array Probe
- Mindray 7LT4s Intraoperative Probe
General Details:
The Mindray M5, like the Logiqbook, is a portable, laptop ultrasound system. It is compatible with a rolling cart, and weighs a little more than the Logiqbook XP, weighing closer to 10 lbs. without any transducers. It’s various buttons and toggles are more user-friendly and advanced, and are extremely easy and simple to learn. This straightforward design makes the M5 popular amongst any diagnostician – new to the industry or a seasoned veteran. The price for a used Mindray M5 ranges from $5000 – $6500, depending on the options, software and year.
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!
