Review
Philips Lumify Review:
Since the Siemens Acuson P10 was introduced a decade ago, many handheld ultrasound devices, for example, the GE Vscan, has been marketed and adapted to clinical environments especially to improve point-of-care applications. Recently, many Chinese manufacturers have been selling wireless mobile app based ultrasound solutions too. However, the image quality is not good enough to meet clinicians’ standards; furthermore, the user interface and connectivity to adapt to clinical requirements are not as elaborate.
Although portable devices are targeting point-of-care and quick diagnosis, expecting high image quality from a clinician’s point of view is not something compromised. Among those handheld ultrasound devices, the Philips Lumify is the most advanced in terms of its image quality, wide utility, technology expertise, and clinical connectivity. Overall 2D resolution and penetration is outstanding compared to any wired or wireless handheld devices. Linear 2D images for small parts and MSK are well described in its margin and tissue expression is up to 4~5 Cm. The Philips Lumify performs well in cardiac, especially showing dark chamber, endocardial margin, and thin valves. Color Doppler for slow and fast flow was sensitive and well optimized, except dedicated cardiac flow scanning, which is difficult to provide good quality images with mid to low end cart based ultrasound system.
The Philips Lumify integrated most advanced probe and miniaturization technologies, but its price point, about $10,000 with one transducer and mobile app package is a bit high. If a customer wants to have three transducers at the same time, its price point is almost the same as a mid-range cart based ultrasound system. Recently, a new company, Butterfly iQ, located in Guiford, CT, USA, totally innovated transducer technology and introduced Butterfly iQ; that one transducer covers the Philips Lumify’s three probes applications with less than $5,000. The Butterfly iQ is not yet active on the market, but soon it will be commercialized. The Butterfuly iQ seems to be a market changer due to its price point and performance level. If then, the Philips Lumify should change its marketing concept and lower their price.
Probes
Philips Lumify Probes/Transducers:
C5-2 curved array:
• Weight: 135g / 4.8 oz (without cable)
• 128 elements
• 2 to 5 MHz extended operating frequency range
• 67.5 degree field of view
• Supports 2D, color Doppler, and Tissue Harmonic Imaging
• Lightweight replaceable USB cable
L12-4 linear array:
• Weight: 108g / 3.8 oz (without cable)
• 128 elements
• 4 to 12 MHz extended operating frequency range
• 34.5mm field of view
• Supports 2D, color Doppler, and Tissue Harmonic Imaging
• Lightweight replaceable USB cable
S4-1 sector/phased array:
• Weight: 96g / 3.4 oz (without cable)
• 64 elements
• 1 to 4 MHz extended operating frequency range
• 90 degree field of view
• Supports 2D, color Doppler, and Tissue Harmonic Imaging
• Lightweight replaceable USB cable
Features
Tissue Harmonic Imaging :Yes
Spatial Compounding(=CrossXbeam) :Yes
Speckle Reduction (=SRI) :Yes
Auto Image Opt(B mode):No
Auto Image Opt(Doppler):No
Write Zoom:No
Triplex Mode:No
Needle Enhancement or Needle Recognition:No
Auto NT Measurement (=Sono NT):No
Auto Follicle 2D Measurement:No
Auto Follicle 3D Measurement:No
Auto IMT:No
Auto IMT (Real Time):No
Automated B/M/D Measurement:No
Automated LH Measurement(Automated Function Imaging(AFI), Cardiac Motion Quantification(CMQ), or Auto EF(Ejection Fraction):No
Live Dual (B/BC) Mode:No
SmartExam or Scan Assistant:No
Fusion:No
Raw Data File:No
Flexible Report:Yes
Barcode Reader:Yes
Gel Warmer:No
Transducers
Convex (1~6Mhz):Yes
Convex (2~9Mhz):No
Single Crystal Convex (1~6Mhz):No
Single Crystal Convex (2~9Mhz):No
2D Arrary 3D Convex (1~6Mhz):No
Micro Convex (5~8Mhz):No
Single Crystal Endocavity_Straight Type (3~10Mhz):No
Endocavity_Curved Type (5~8Mhz):No
3D Convex (2~6Mhz):No
3D Convex Light Weight (2~7Mhz):No
3D Endocavity (3~10Mhz):No
3D Micro Convex (3~9Mhz):No
3D Linear (4~18Mhz):No
Linear (>14Mhz):No
Linear (3~12Mhz):Yes
Linear (<9Mhz):No
Single Crystal Linear (>14Mhz):No
Single Crystal Linear (3~12Mhz):No
Single Crystal Linear (<9Mhz):No
Linear 50mm:No
Linear 25mm:No
Hockey stick (<13Mhz):No
Hockey stick (>13Mhz):No
T or L shape Intra Operative:No
Phased Array_Adult (1~5Mhz):Yes
Single Crystal Phased Array_Adult (1~5Mhz):No
2D Arrary 3D Phased Array (1~5Mhz):No
Phased Array_Pediatric (3~8hz):No
Single Crystal Phased Array_Pediatric (3~8hz):No
Phased Array_Neonate (4~12Mhz):No
ICE (Intracardiac Echo Cardiography):No
TEE_Adult (3-7Mhz):No
TEE_Pediatric (3~7Mhz):No
2D Array 3D TEE (2~7Mhz):No
Pencil CW (2Mhz):No
Pencil CW (5 or 6Mhz):No
Imaging Modes
2D, M mode:Yes
M-color Flow Mode:Yes
Anatomical M-mode:No
Trapezoidal Mode:No
Color, Power Angio, Pulse Wave Doppler:Yes(Color)
Bi-directional Power (=HD FLOW):No
SCW Doppler:No
Tissue Doppler(Velocity) Imaging:No
Freehand 3D:No
Live 3/4D OB/GYN:No
HD Live:No
STIC (Spatio-Temporal Image Correlation):No
Live 3D Echo:No
Stress Echo:No
Strain and Strain Rate (Cardiac):No
B Flow:No
Panoramic Imaging (=Logiq view):No
Contrast Imaging – Cardiac:No
Contrast Imaging – General Imaging:No
Strain-based Elastography:No
Shear Wave Elastography:No
Applications
Abdominal:Yes
Women’s Health Care (GYN & Breast):Yes
OB:Yes
Fetal Echo:No
Vascular:Yes
TCD(Transcranial):No
Small Parts (Breast, Thyroid, Testis…):Yes
MSK/Anesthesiology:Yes
Pediatrics:No
Urology (Renal, Prostate…):No
Echocardiography_Adult:Yes
Interventional Cardiology:No
Echocardiography_Pediatric:No
Echocardiography_Neonate:No
Stress Echocardiography:No
Transesophageal Echo_Adult:No
Transesophageal Echo_Pediatric:No
Internal Medicine w/ Shared Service:No
Surgury:No
Interventional Radiology:No
Contrast Imaging _ General Imaging (Low MI):No
Contrast Imaging _ Cardiac (High or Low MI):No
Bowel Imaging:No
Strain Elastography:No
Shear Wave Elastography:No