Introduction:
Philips has been committed to healthcare for the last century. One of the top ultrasound manufacturers in the world, Philips has continued along the path of quality, affordable, cutting-edge and creative ultrasound technology since their first day in the game. Over the years, Philips has developed many different ultrasound series’ (such as the HD series, Epiq series and the “i” series), along with powerful individual ultrasound machines (like the Sparq and CX50). Philips systems, particularly as used ultrasound machines, dominate a large portion of the ultrasound market. Among the most popular of the Philips used ultrasound machines are the HD15, IU22, and IE33 systems. This article will dive in depth into these specific machines.
Applications:
The Philips HD15 is the most advanced and powerful ultrasound machine in the Philips HD series. It is considered a “shared service” system – meaning that it does not specialize specifically in one application. It projects quality and powerful images in 2D, 3D and 4D (which is the same as Live 3D) for OB-GYN and cardiac applications. It can also be used to diagnose small parts (such as breast, testicles and thyroid), vascular, and abdominal applications. Finally, being armed with stress echo options, nearly any type of diagnostician can employ this used ultrasound machine and be ecstatic with it’s versatility and reliability.
Technology:
Sometimes, when purchasing an ultrasound machine, one may feel as though one is sacrificing technological advances in exchange for versatility with diagnostic applications or probe compatibility. With the HD15, this is certainly not the case. This machine is capable of producing 3D / 4D ultrasound images, utilizes CrossXBeam compound imaging, Triplex Imaging (color flow), Speckle Reduction Technology, and Tissue Harmonic Imaging, to name a few features. Each of these image enhancing technologies are here to assist both doctors and patients through the diagnosis process, ensuring accurate images in color, 3D, and HD modes.
Probes:
The HD15 is compatible with over 10 ultrasound probes and transducers. It is important to have a used ultrasound machine that is compatible with many probes / transducers for a few reasons:
- The more variations of probes that the ultrasound machine is compatible with, the more applications the machine can diagnose. Therefore, because the HD15 is compatible with linear probes, one can conclude it is capable of vascular, small parts and / or musculoskeletal images. Curved array probes are for abdominal and OB-GYN application and endocavitary probes are generally for urological, vaginal, and OB-GYN applications.
- Many Philips used ultrasound machines have probes that are compatible with one another. For example, the C8-4v endocavitary probe is compatible with the HD15, IU22 and I33. If one were to have an HD15, and decide to purchase an IE33 instead, one wouldn’t need to purchase a new C8-4v endocavitary probe as it is compatible with both systems.
Overview:
The Philips iU22 remains one of the most popular used ultrasound machines available today. As part of the Philips “i” series, which includes the iU22 and iE33 ultrasound systems, the iU22 was discontinued officially by Philips and replaced with the Epiq ultrasound machine. This discontinuation, however, did little to the machine’s popularity and favorability. It is still considered one of the top ultrasound machines available, and is versatile, powerful and user-friendly.
Applications:
The iU22, like the HD15, is considered a shared service ultrasound machine. It’s ability to provide top caliber images for abdominal, OB-GYN, cardiac, radiological, musculoskeletal, vascular and small parts images leaves doctors, diagnosticians and hospital administrators seeking to employ it’s services.
Technology:
The iU22 has all the technological advances that the HD15 contains at its fingertips, and many more features. A few of these features include: Tissue Harmonic Imaging with Pulse Inversion Technology, Panoramic Imaging, Freehand 3D and MPR imaging and Chroma imaging in 2D, 3D, 4D, MPR, Panoramic, M-mode and Doppler modes. These image enhancing technologies are a combination of innovative new features, and enhanced older features (such as 3D/4D imaging, Tissue Harmonic Imaging, and so on). The result is the iU22; a combination of glorious new technology and fortified, reliable and important foundational technology.
Probes:
The iU22 is compatible with over 15 types of ultrasound probes and transducers. These probes are valuable for a few reasons:
- Like discussed with the HD15, the more types of probes that the iU22 is compatible with, the more versatile the ultrasound machine’s diagnosing capabilities
- Some of these probes are more technologically advanced – providing more purpose than just being able to diagnose a specific body part. For example, the difference between a Matrix probe and a Phased array/ Sector probe. Both provide cardiac images, but the technology in the Matrix probe far exceeds the technological capabilities of the Phased array probes.
Overview:
The Philips IE33 used ultrasound machine is the other system in the Philips “i” ultrasound series. This system contains all of the same image enhancing technology as the iU22, but contrasts its brother in one primary manner: Whereas the iU22 is a shared service ultrasound machine, and specializes in a wide variety of applications, the iE33 specifically is designed for cardio-vascular application images. With software updates, however, the iE33 can be updated to project images for other applications as well. When just purchasing this ultrasound machine, unless specifically informed that the system has been updated, it is safe to assume that the iE33 specializes in cardio-vascular applications in particular.
Cardiac Applications:
•Adult Echocardiography
•Pediatric Echocardiography
•Fetal Echocardiography
•Stress Echocardiography
•Vascular
•Transesophageal Echcardiography
•Contrast Echocardiography
•Perioperative
•Epicardial Echocardiography
Technology:
The iE33 contains the same technological capabilities as the iU22, including Tissue Harmonic Imaging with Pulse Inversion Technology, Panoramic Imaging, Freehand 3D and MPR imaging,and Chroma imaging in 2D, 3D, 4D, MPR, Panoramic, M-mode and Doppler modes. Theseimage enhancing technologies are a combination of innovative new features, and enhanced older features (such as 3D/4D imaging, Tissue Harmonic Imaging, and so on).
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!
