426 - Comparison of 6 Handheld Ultrasound Devices by Pediatric Point-of-Care Ultrasound Experts

Publication Number: 426.4071

Stephanie K.. Leung, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Ria Dancel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Ariadna C. Perez Sanchez, UTHSC UNIV TEXAS HEALTH SCIENC, San Antonio, TX, United States; Riya N. Soni, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, Austin, TX, United States; Michael J. Mader, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, United States; Haitham Al-Wahab, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States; Thomas Conlon, Children, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Maria V. Fraga, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Javier Lasa, Children's Health at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States; Andrea Matho, Children's Hospital Los Angeles/Keck SOM USC, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Hannah E. Smith, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States; Nilam J. Soni, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, United States

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an essential tool for clinicians. It provides real-time diagnosis at the bedside to guide clinical decision-making without radiation exposure and ultimately improves patient care and efficiency. POCUS machines are primarily cart-based, and lack of access to POCUS machines remains a barrier. Handheld ultrasound devices (HUDs) have been developed with enhanced portability to increase access and reduce startup costs. Clinicians seek guidance on purchasing HUDs, but no head-to-head comparative studies of HUD use in children currently exist.

Objective: This comparative study by pediatric POCUS experts evaluated image quality, ease of use, and overall satisfaction of 6 HUDs in children.

Design/Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study comparing 6 commercially available HUDs (Butterfly iQ+™ by Butterfly Network Inc.; Clarius® by Clarius Mobile Health™; Kosmos™ by EchoNous; TE Air™ by Mindray®; Vscan Air™ SL by General Electric; and Lumify™ by Philips Healthcare). Pediatric POCUS experts acquired 4 common POCUS views on a standardized pediatric patient: 1) abdominal right upper quadrant, 2) cardiac apical 4-chamber, 3) superficial neck (soft tissue and vascular), and 4) lungs. Each HUD was evaluated for image quality, ease of use, and overall satisfaction.

Results: Eight pediatric POCUS experts who are physicians in cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, hospital medicine, and neonatology participated. The Vscan Air™, Kosmos™, and Lumify™ were rated highest for ease of use, image quality, and overall satisfaction. No single handheld was superior across all applications. Most experts recommended the Vscan Air™ for purchase. Image quality, ease of use, total costs, transducer size, and different transducer availability were the most desirable HUD characteristics.

Conclusion(s): In this head-to-head comparative study of 6 HUDs in children, Vscan Air™, Kosmos™, and Lumify™ were rated highest for ease of use, image quality, and overall satisfaction, but no device was superior across all applications. Qualitative characteristics including probe ergonomics may distinguish HUDs for pediatric care. Our findings can guide purchasing decisions and clinical use in pediatrics.

Figure 1. Mean Ratings of Handheld Ultrasound Devices by Ease of Use and Image Quality


Figure 2. Purchase Decision of Handheld Ultrasound Devices by Pediatric POCUS Experts


Table 1. Importance of Characteristics of Handheld Ultrasound Devices per Pediatric POCUS Experts


Figure 1. Mean Ratings of Handheld Ultrasound Devices by Ease of Use and Image Quality


Figure 2. Purchase Decision of Handheld Ultrasound Devices by Pediatric POCUS Experts


Table 1. Importance of Characteristics of Handheld Ultrasound Devices per Pediatric POCUS Experts