We travel the country – and indeed the world – trying out new ultrasound systems, and testing ours head-to-head with others in the market.

Over the past few months, it has become increasingly clear that, with the D6 and D10, Vinno has left rivals in the dust. Chison machines in the same price bracket offer similar image quality, but far fewer features, particularly for cardiology; Sonoscape imaging is almost as impressive as Vinno’s, but the failings of their Doppler (both colour and spectral) continue to plague their new range; and against the GE Logiq range, both 8 and 9, Vinno outperforms in both imaging and colour Doppler performance by a long way.

Vinno’s superiority is particularly important when it comes to one of our specialties: echocardiography. A lesser machine can fly under the radar when tested on abdomens to an intermediate level, only because it is unlikely to be challenged as much when it comes to Doppler performance. It is when scanning hearts that you can really see the difference.

Demo tips for veterinarians

If you are looking for an ultrasound machine for small animal use, make sure you test it on a cardiac case or two – whether or not you will actually be scanning hearts. The reason is that this is the ‘litmus test’ of an ultrasound machine, and with so many models so similarly priced, you need a true challenge to separate the amazing from the good. Pound for pound, you want amazing, and it’s also my personal belief that ultrasound companies wanting to provide you amazing at the same price that others will supply you good, are probably more honest (or competent) companies to work with, and more likely to look after you in the long-run.

If you will be scanning hearts regularly, then when you are trying out new machines, it’s essential to test it on a cat – preferably a small one, rather than a chunky stud cat! Plenty of ultrasound machines perform acceptably on a dog, but will really struggle with feline patients.

Your job as the potential buyer of a new system is to make things as tough as possible for the ultrasound machine. Be scientific about it, and keep your testing conditions as controlled as possible by using the same animals and organs to test one machine against another, otherwise you might end up choosing one machine over another simply because the patients you tested it on had nicer images.

Beyond the sale

Finally, look at the company you are buying from as a whole, not just the ultrasound machine. Do they actually use the equipment they are selling – enough to be able to support you in its clinical use?

Do they feel an obligation to keep you, their customer, scanning and in business, or do they believe in their profits above all else? There are a number of companies selling ultrasound in the UK who, without a hint of embarrassment, will quote you £8000 to replace a board in an ultrasound machine. Is that really the type of company you want to give your business to?

If you’d like to talk to one of our experts about your ultrasound needs, please contact us.