Evaluation Background: Premium General-Purpose Ultrasound Scanners

Here's background for our Evaluations of premium general-purpose ultrasound (GPUS) scanners, outlining the key considerations for making wise purchasing decisions. View a summary of our product ratings, and learn how the technology is used, which specs are important, and what factors we test for. Also review ECRI's data describing hospitals' interest in the available models.

Diagnostic ultrasound scanners are used to obtain images and other data that are used to assess patient anatomy and physiology. These devices are also used to provide guidance for interventional procedures.

Premium GPUS scanners are used to obtain high-quality ultrasound data and allow users to perform advanced imaging assessments. To be considered in the premium category, a scanner must:

1. Be cart-based (i.e., permanently mounted on wheels)

2. Support a variety of transducers, including curved linear, flat linear, sector, and endocavity

3. Support a minimum of three of...