Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an essential tool for clinicians, but access to ultrasound devices remains a significant barrier. Handheld ultrasound devices have become increasingly available, offering portability and affordability. To guide purchasing decisions, we conducted a cross-sectional study comparing six handheld devices: Butterfly iQ+, Clarius, Kosmos, Mindray TE Air, Vscan Air, and Lumify. Thirty-five POCUS experts from various specialties evaluated these devices during a 2-day CME course. They acquired three standard POCUS views (right upper quadrant, cardiac apical 4-chamber, and superficial neck and lung views) on standardized patients with BMI <24 and rated the devices based on image quality, ease of use, and overall satisfaction.
The results revealed that the Vscan Air had the highest image quality for right upper quadrant views, the Mindray TE Air excelled in cardiac apical 4-chamber imaging, and the Lumify was superior for superficial neck and lung views. Overall satisfaction was highest for the Vscan Air, Lumify, and Mindray, with the Vscan Air ranking highest in ease of use. Experts identified the most desirable characteristics in handhelds as image quality, ease of use, portability, probe size, and battery life. However, no single device demonstrated superiority across all metrics. The study emphasized that while each handheld had strengths and weaknesses, POCUS experts preferred the Vscan Air for its balance of image quality and usability. This study provides a valuable comparison to assist clinicians in selecting the most suitable handheld ultrasound device for their clinical needs.
