Ultrasound Equipment – It Pays to Shop Around

Prices Vary as Used and Refurbished Parts Become Top Choice

Ultrasound equipment can be quite expensive. The good news is that there are now many companies on the Web (and off) that provide quality pre-owned or refurbished supplies and accessories for an ultrasound machine at more reasonable costs.

Replacement parts such as probes and transducers can cost into the thousands (a used Acuson Bi-Plane Transesophageal Probe is nearly $8,000), so shopping around for ultrasound equipment and accessories pays off. Other probes, endocavity probes and transophageal probes are available on various Websites at varying costs and some are offered for an exchange sale on the ultrasound equipment. Doppler probes and transducers are also available at a wide range of costs, as well as for exchange sales.

When shopping around for equipment for your ultrasound machine, you may find it beneficial to look to some of the major manufacturers websites (such as Acuson, Aloka, ATL, Diasonics, General Electric, Hewlett Packard, Hitachi, Interspec, Philips, Siemens, Toshiba) and make note of the prices for the new pieces of equipment you are looking to purchase. Then, take to the Web where you can compare this “new” price to prices of used and refurbished pieces, many of which come with guarantees.

For instance, a fetal Doppler ultrasound stethoscope is just over $1,200 on one site, $895 on another for the . This same site also offers discounts for medical professionals.

Simple ultrasound supplies such as gel do not vary much in price; however, some ultrasound equipment and accessory sellers and resellers do offer such supplies with the purchase of equipment, some at no charge and some for nominal fees.

Be sure that when buying a refurbished used ultrasound system, accessories and supplies that you get warranty/guarantee information in writing, along with any service agreements that may be in affect.