GE Vscan air CL - anyone using it?

[AlfPropRoc]

Not used yet myself - wanted to get some opinions from anyone who has, particularly the phased array probe function in terms of TTE performance.

I've used the Lumify in the past and been pretty content with it but never liked the idea of having to carry 2-3 different probes around (may as well just go and get the cart) so the Vscan 2in1 form factor appeals (and seems better than some other cheapo non-piezoelectric transducers).

Use case for me would be - a-lines, occasional PIVC, blocks, quick pre-op TTE. Also thinking I might be able to use the phased array probe for gastric ultrasound in lieu of a curvilinear, but if not ability to do TTE > gastric ultrasound (can always get the cart for this).

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[dchz]

Tried GE Vscan air for a week.

It's very poor quality for a $5k ultrasound, i'm not sure worth the extra money over a butterfly.

the one they gave me to trial didn't have a phased array probe. just cruvilinear and linear. The curvilinear will suck at TTE for anyone with BMI above 25.

Lumify is the defacto linear ultrasound in the cathlab here. It's fine for a line placement, will not suffice for anything deeper.

Overall i have determined it's not worth my after tax dollars for either, since i have a linear ultrasound wherever i go. Your mile may vary.

Also FYI, there have been many threads like these over the years, if you want other peoples previous opinion, just search for it.

 

[AlfPropRoc]

Yeah - I did have a look through the archives but couldn't see anything on the phased array probe (think it's only been out this year?) and aside from a demo from a rep and a few videos on the site I can't find much feedback on it.

Can you expand on the poor quality? As in, is it really terrible for bread and butter type uses (a line/PIVC/superficial nerve blocks)? V interested to hear this as this is probably going to be at least half my use case for the thing!

 

[PpfSuxTube]

I have a 🦋 butterfly. Use almost daily for blocks. Excellent quality. I don't do much pocus but it seems reasonable

 

[pgg]

Why are you guys buying your own ultrasound machines?

Is a handheld portable actually comparable in image quality and ergonomic usefulness to a standard rolling device made in the last two decades?

Even if they are - why spend your own money on a device the facility should be providing for you?

What's next? You going to buy nerve stimulators and infusion pumps too?

 

[Beeftenderloin]

Why are you guys buying your own ultrasound machines?

Is a handheld portable actually comparable in image quality and ergonomic usefulness to a standard rolling device made in the last two decades?

Even if they are - why spend your own money on a device the facility should be providing for you?

What's next? You going to buy nerve stimulators and infusion pumps too?

I’ve got a not so small bonus coming my way soon and I want to buy a probe, mostly for personal use/funsies. I never have trouble getting an US at work when I want it. But it’s a lot easier to practice and learn new things on my wife than on patients when I’m trying to keep the day moving. Also would be fun to look at our developing fetus on a whim. Not to mention I have a hypochondriac wife who always thinks she has a PE (it’s never actually been a PE).

That being said, I’m following this thread closely. Curious what the consensus is on the best “low cost” (4 digit number) probe out there is.

 

[PpfSuxTube]

Why are you guys buying your own ultrasound machines?

Is a handheld portable actually comparable in image quality and ergonomic usefulness to a standard rolling device made in the last two decades?

Even if they are - why spend your own money on a device the facility should be providing for you?

We have a few broken awaiting repairs. And I hate waiting 10 or 15 mins for a probe.
Quality is very good.
I get funding for certain things

 

[DocVapor]

Why are you guys buying your own ultrasound machines?

Is a handheld portable actually comparable in image quality and ergonomic usefulness to a standard rolling device made in the last two decades?

Even if they are - why spend your own money on a device the facility should be providing for you?

What's next? You going to buy nerve stimulators and infusion pumps too?

I bought my butterfly because I was in a use-it-or-lose-it CME money situation and at my shop tracking down a rolling U/S only to find it consistently not cleaned was a huge PITA and waste of my time. Asking someone else to go find it was worse. I'm in a private practice so getting the facility to buy us anything is nigh on impossible.

I've posted elsewhere my thoughts on it's usefulness, but all in all I'm glad I got it and didn't lose out on the money.

 

[coffeebythelake]

Why are you guys buying your own ultrasound machines?

Is a handheld portable actually comparable in image quality and ergonomic usefulness to a standard rolling device made in the last two decades?

Even if they are - why spend your own money on a device the facility should be providing for you?

What's next? You going to buy nerve stimulators and infusion pumps too?

Professional funds /CME money

 

[AlfPropRoc]

+1 for CME money but also to force me to use it more regularly because of a reduced friction in getting the cart/possibly cleaning it (rare where I work but does happen from time to time)/waiting for it to be available.

So some love for the Butterfly (I thought the image quality was a bit suss on it? Perhaps the next gen addressed that - certainly love the biplane feature), but really keen to hear from anyone using the Vscan with the phased array probe (might have better luck on an ICU/ED forum maybe?)

 

[Mehd School]

I am honestly shocked to hear people are routinely using butterflies for nerve blocks. Imaging quality is often quite insufficient. It's not uncommon to find a small accessory vessel or nerve branch that I can barely see on a $110k machine. I have a butterfly but it doesn't get much use. Having to prop up my iphone or ipad is cumbersome and it is not worth the sacrifice of image quality.

 

[Airway]

I am honestly shocked to hear people are routinely using butterflies for nerve blocks. Imaging quality is often quite insufficient. It's not uncommon to find a small accessory vessel or nerve branch that I can barely see on a $110k machine. I have a butterfly but it doesn't get much use. Having to prop up my iphone or ipad is cumbersome and it is not worth the sacrifice of image quality.

Agree. I own first generation butterfly. No subscription. It gets rare use.

 

[chessknt]

I bought a butterfly primarily for clinic thoracic imaging and ended up returning it--quality was dog**** and subscription was stupid. I had a consult for a pleural effusion, visualized the effusion, sent him to radiology to tap it since I didnt have anything in clinic to do it with, they said effusion was too small but it looked big on my crap image. That sealed the deal for me.

 

[Maz777]

I am honestly shocked to hear people are routinely using butterflies for nerve blocks. Imaging quality is often quite insufficient. It's not uncommon to find a small accessory vessel or nerve branch that I can barely see on a $110k machine. I have a butterfly but it doesn't get much use. Having to prop up my iphone or ipad is cumbersome and it is not worth the sacrifice of image quality.

Agreed. I wouldn't use a Butterfly for a nerve block under any condition. Resolution is terrible. Mine stopped working after a few years of extremely sporadic use. Won't turn on. Not even worth my while to see if they will fix or replace it since it utility is the same broken.

 

[Airway]

Agreed. I wouldn't use a Butterfly for a nerve block under any condition. Resolution is terrible. Mine stopped working after a few years of extremely sporadic use. Won't turn on. Not even worth my while to see if they will fix or replace it since it utility is the same broken.

I suspect you let the battery die, or your charger has gone bad. Do you have any other qi chargers that it could fit on? Might take 24 hrs to get enough charge to boot up. Just fyi since mine did the same.