Beyond Resuscitation

Ultrasound has long been a staple of hospitals around the country for quick and effective imaging. Yet only in recent years has the emergence of lightweight and portable mobile ultrasound changed the market. Companies producing these new-age ultrasound devices aggressively compete in how they market their devices. But how do they really stack up against each other, and against the more traditional ultrasound machine? This post will consider two portable ultrasound devices, the Philips Lumify and the MobiSante MobiUS SP1.

Product:
Ultrasound is a great product, and portable ultrasound is even better. Or is it? Hospitals may be concerned with the ability of a smaller device to produce clear images in a sector dominated by larger and more powerful devices. Yet a 2012 study demonstrated that handheld ultrasound devices produce images just as good as larger devices (Kimura et al., 2012). Even more, technology has improved since the 2012 study, and device maker Philips launched their device just last year (Philips, 2015).

Price:
Traditional ultrasound machines cost $300,000 or more, while the MobiUS costs only $7,500 (Stylist). Nonetheless, one company has taken the price competition even further. Philips has chosen to offer their Lumify ultrasound probe for only $199 a month, averaging $2,400 a year not considering the recommended $75 a month warranty coverage (Philips, 2015). Such lease deals have put advanced technology and newer equipment within reach of those who might not have been able to afford the upfront costs.

Promotion:
Promoting the devices can be an art in itself. Philips not only released a press release but went as far as producing a unique website for the product that even advertises its pricing plans (Philips, 2015). MobiSante, on the other hand, does not publish the price of their devices (MobiSante).

Place:
Where is this ultrasound to be used? Companies marketing portable ultrasound should capitalize off of the portability of the products. Portable ultrasound fails to inspire a purchase decision if portrayed as a replacement for traditional US machines. Why would a hospital pay for lightweight ultrasound if they already have larger machines that would be used in the same place and time? Instead, maybe companies should direct their marketing towards EMS agencies, as evidence exists that ultrasound can even be used on ambulances (Boniface et al., 2011).

References

Boniface, K., Shokoohi, H., Smith, R., & Scantlebury, K. (2011, June). Tele-ultrasound and paramedics: real-time remote physician guidance of the Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma examination. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. Retrieved from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2009.12.001

Kimura, B., Gilcrease, G., Showalter, B., Phan, J., & Wolfson, T. (2012, January). Diagnostic performance of a pocket-sized ultrasound device for quick-look cardiac imaging. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 30(1). Retrieved from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2010.07.024

MobiSante. (n.d.). Smartphone Ultrasound: The MobiUS SP1 System. Retrieved from: http://www.mobisante.com/products/product-overview/

Philips. (2015, November 18). Philips initiates commercial launch of Lumify smart device ultrasound solution in the U.S. Retrieved from: http://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/standard/news/press/2015/20151119-Philips-initiates-commercial-launch-of-Lumify-smart-device-ultrasound-solution-in-the-US.html

Stylist. First ever ultrasound smartphone. Retrieved from: http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/first-ever-ultrasound-smartphone

Fundamental ACLS concepts can be learned through an AHA ACLS course. Find the best AHA ACLS course in Austin, Texas at Thri Austin - an official local Austin AHA Training Site offering BLS, ACLS, and PALS. While Thri Austin offers same-day AHA certifications with its AHA RQI training system, the Thri network of official AHA Training Sites also features non-RQI AHA Training like Los Angeles Heart Training, which offers official AHA ACLS classes in Los Angeles and also AHA PALS and AHA BLS in Los Angeles.

Author

CHT Staff

At Chicago Heart Training we believe active medical practice should be supported by a foundation of rigorous research in medicine and health care practice. Our staff engages in regular investigation of trending issues in medicine and provides research-backed opinion articles to enrich your medical tastes.