Tips and Considerations for Buying and Leasing Ultrasound Machines

Ultrasound machines are commonly used in a wide array of clinical applications. They can be used in vascular imaging to diagnose arterial or venous disease, in body imaging to view abdominal organs and structures, for cardiac mobility and function studies, in obstetrics to monitor the health of an expecting mother and fetus and in a wide array of other clinical needs from pediatric, orthopedic and GI procedures. In use, ultrasound machines are many times the modality of choice because they do not carry the risk for radiation exposure that comes with modalities that use x-ray. Another advantage gained from ultrasound machines is that images can be produced in real-time. This leads to incredibly fast procedures that are especially helpful in point-of-care studies.

For these reasons, most healthcare organizations choose to acquire an ultrasound machine they can use to help their patients. This can be accomplished by buying or leasing, and today we will be covering tips and considerations to keep in mind while obtaining one.

1. Determine Your Budget

Like most medical purchases, ultrasound machines are can be expensive. For example, new, entry-level machines can be priced between $20,000 to $75,000, and some high-end machines from big-name manufacturers like Siemens, Philips and GE can exceed $100,000. When you begin your search for an ultrasound machine, the first thing you should do is determine your budget. Doing so will ensure that you only consider machines you can afford that meet the clinical needs of your practice or allow you to make use of other finance options like leasing or purchasing refurbished.

Leasing an ultrasound machine opens up a relatively affordable avenue without the need to budget tens or hundreds of thousands of capital budget dollars that require you to pay in full at the time of purchase. Leasing also allows the option to continually upgrade its technology throughout and after the lease term. If you want to gain ownership of a machine, but cannot afford one, buying a refurbished ultrasound machine that has been brought back to its original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards for performance from organizations like Meridian Leasing is a cost-effective solution that can save you a lot of money.

2. What Will Be the Clinical Utilization of the Ultrasound Machine?

Another consideration is the clinical utilization of the ultrasound machine. Though all machines operate quite similarly, not all perform the same functions. For example, if you need an ultrasound machine for cardiology, it would not make sense to buy one that is specialized for OB/GYN. Similarly, if you need one for urology, you should not get one that is used for vascular.

3. Will the System Be Used to Perform Portable Studies?

Similar to determining the ultrasound machine’s clinical utilization is deciding if it will be used to perform point-of-care studies. You will want to focus your efforts on portable ultrasound machines that can be maneuvered easily throughout a hospital or to remote locations in point-of-care situations. These machines are usually the size of a laptop and compromise processing power and image quality for ease of mobility and a lower price point. Portable ultrasound machines also offer limited software features and options when compared to console units, but improvements in ultrasound technology are narrowing the gap year after year.

4. Ensure That the Machine’s Probes Match the Clinical Utilization of the Unit

Ultrasound machines are generally made up of two components: the workstation and the probes (also known as transducers). The workstation is comprised of the user interface, application software, and display that reconstruct the image gathered by the probes. This is where the distinction between console, portable, and ultraportable ultrasound machines come in—each one represents a different workstation. Probes, on the other hand, are devices that produce the sound waves that lead to the images. Like workstations, probes come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the part of the body they are intended to image.

All workstations rely on ultrasound probes that come in different varieties. For example, linear probes use a focused beam and are especially useful for detailed imaging. Separately, convex probes use wide beams that are better suited for diagnostic imaging, intracavity probes are used in OB/GYN departments, and so on. Because of these distinctions, you need to ensure that the ultrasound machine you are considering has the appropriate probes that match the clinical utilization you intend for it.

5. Purchase Only Additional Software Applications That Are Needed to Support the Clinical Utilization of the Unit

The technology in ultrasound machines has improved greatly in recent years. Additionally, the software applications that can be attached to them have also become more robust. Before you choose to adorn your machine with every software package that is available, think carefully about their clinical utility. In other words, ensure there is an actual clinical need for the additional software you are considering purchasing matches the exam you intend to perform. Unlike wants that are additional things that would be nice to have, needs are things that you cannot do without, and will most likely be specialty specific.

For example, as an OB/GYN specialist you may want a 3D/4D convex probe to provide additional value to your patients, but you may not clinically need to purchase it. What you do need is a 2D convex. Here are some additional imaging options you can acquire:

• Elastography
• Spatial compound imaging
• Advanced speckle reduction imaging
• Speckle reduction imaging
• 3D/4D
• Live baby face imaging

Final Thoughts

Ultrasound machines are a quick way to gain clinical information, and unlike x-ray machines, do not use radiation to operate. They are successfully used by healthcare organizations in areas like cardiology, body imaging, gynecology, obstetrics, and much more. As such, they are a staple in many medical offices and healthcare facilities. In most cases, there are considerations to be made when looking for an ultrasound machine for sale or lease. Like we covered today, this involves the following points:

• What is your budget? Depending on what it is, you may not be able to outright purchase an ultrasound machine, but can lease it.
• Ultrasound machines have different uses. You need to consider your intended clinical utilization before making a purchase.
• If the system will be used in point-of care -situations, or if it will need to be moved from location to location, you will need to obtain a portable ultrasound machine rather than a console unit.
• Stemming from the ultrasound machine’s intended use are the probes that come with it. You need to ensure that the machines’ probes match its clinical utilization.

You can purchase additional software to enhance the ultrasound machine’s performance. Before doing so, make sure that there is an actual clinical need for it.

My role as the Vice President of Healthcare at Meridian Leasing is to partner with our top healthcare clients to build a medical equipment strategy to meet the organization financial needs.