SonoSite MicroMaxx: Portable Ultrasound Video Review

A look at a great (or not-so-great) portable ultrasound machine

A quick personal note: this video was originally dedicated to an Emergency Room Physician. Last month, he purchased a MicroMaxx from me and had a request. I wanted to honor that request by dedicating a portion of this video to him... however, I cut the actual dedication. The dedication, or tribute, was the result of his suggestions for my "next video review."

He said he wants more explosions.

The problem? It has nothing to do with the review... but more importantly it was taking a lot of time... Rest assured to the many who have requested for more explosions, I will get an extended version out that will include a final cut of some sort of explosion and a special surprise for the ER physician.

 

A Brief summary of the MicroMaxx ultrasound review...

This ultrasound review covers the MicroMaxx, and what type of physician should buy it, such as an Emergency Department physician or anesthesiologist. Some will love it. Others... well... they will appreciate its durability when they throw it down and stomp on it. The MicroMaxx is best for specific markets... and that may not include you... I speak particularly from its usability factor. I put some visual examples in the video, and you'll see that work habits and overall techno-phobic tendencies are key factors in deciding on the MicroMaxx.

What's not included in the video? Some of the more minor frustrations I've had with it. The way it does cine loops and various other settings can be quite annoying at first... but that's certainly not a unique trait. There are ways to make changes to some quirks, but others are uneditible (annoying).  With this in mind, the trade-off is that you get a lot of unique benefits that are a lifesaver to some situations... including techno-phobic doctors. 

 

 

Over the years, I've had a lot of happy MicroMaxx customers... but that's because their environment and work-habits. When the environment is right, this thing is fantastic. But this is one of those machines that you really don't want to make a mistake in buying.

Call, email or leave a comment here if you'd like to talk.

Thanks,

Brian Gill, [email protected]
President, GPS Medical, Inc.
866-347-7633
www.gpsmed.com

Portable Ultrasound Machine,ultrasound video review,SonoSite,MicroMaxx,Hand carried ultrasound,needle guided ultrasound,MSK ultrasound,anesthesia ultrasound,vascular ultrasound,venous ultrasound,Emergency ultrasound,FAST ultrasound

Comments

[James]

This review is great. But I hope to see comparisons to other leading key players on Healthcare Equipment Industry such as GE and Philips..

Thank you for this.

[Ed Davis, DPM, FACFAS]

The Micromaxx is a great product for my needs. I am a podiatrist with two offices so its portability and durability is outstanding. It is good for sports injuries as we can take the machine out in the field. I obtained my machine in December 2005. The only problems have been with the charger and charging system. Sonosite provided great service on the unit and we extended the service contract out until December 2011 and will probably extend it one more year as getting a new unit is a bit tougher since reimburesments for MSK ultrasound have decreased. I have been trying to convince our organization, APMA, to fight for fairer reimbursements with little success to date. I have seen pathology such as partial achilles tears and posterior tibial tendinosis when MRIs have come back negative. MRIs for patients with lateral ankle instability (tears of the anterior talofibular ligament) which look normal on MRI often can be better demonstrated on MSk because we can stress the ankle (stress inversion) while observing the ligament.

I don't think I got the best lease on the unit though. Wonder what the going price is?

Regards,
Ed Davis, DPM

http://www.southtexaspodiatrist.com/

[vancouver babypack]

I will try to review some more about that portable ultrasound coz we might need it in our clinic for emergency purposes in lying in. Im not saying your product is not good but i would have to review more and then i will decide later.

[Boki, Ultrasound Machines Today]

MicroMaxx seems like a very interesting and useful tool. I'll blog about this.

[Philip Glencross]

I only wish I had gone with my first impulse, to purchase from a solid company such as Sonosite. I wanted the latest and greatest MSK system and was prepared to pay for it but ended up working with a vendor that not only lead me astray but failed to deliver. If you want to know who I purchased from give me a call (number removed) I will tell you the vendor and the manufacturer. I have no gripes with the machine but I don't think you could have worse customer service and fulfillment. I prepaid for a system upgrade and have not receive it for 9 months. Buyer beware. If I had purchased the Sonosite I am sure I would not have been an unhappy customer at this point.