“The portability of the Lumify has made it incredibly easy and efficient to perform FoCUS scans in all scenarios- for pre-operative assessment, on anaesthetised patients and in PACU.”
Cardiac probe
The road that lead to the Lumify was convoluted to begin with. In my fourth year as a consultant anaesthetist I developed an interest in focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) and having attended a workshop identified the importance of regular scanning on patients to develop basic echo skills. I made it a goal to perform a FoCUS scan on at least one patient for every clinical anaesthesia day. Working in busy public and private hospitals, the availability of ultrasound can be unreliable and the ultrasound unit footprint quite large in the induction bay and operating theatre. With relatively little knowledge of portable ultrasound products, I made the decision to purchase a different brand of portable ultrasound on recommendation from a colleague. Whilst it was one of the lower cost ultrasounds on the market, I was not completely satisfied with the quality of the echo images I was obtaining, it was bulky to handle and duration of use significantly limited by overheating.
I came across the Lumify at a regional anaesthesia workshop and instantly found it a much better device. All the issues I experienced with my first ultrasound were solved with the Lumify. Consistent with Philips ultrasound units, the image quality is very high. The ultrasound probe is of light weight making it easy and comfortable to handle. The smaller size probe enables better access between ribs for cardiac windows. The Lumify does not overheat enabling longer scanning duration. As the probe’s battery utilises power from the smartphone or tablet it is connected to this also avoids the need to separately charge the probe.
I ended up trading in my first ultrasound for the Lumify and have been happy with the move. The portability of the Lumify has made it incredibly easy and efficient to perform FoCUS scans in all scenarios- for pre-operative assessment, on anaesthetised patients and in PACU. As an example of its utility, I have used the Lumify on numerous occasions to confirm clinical suspicion of hypovolemia and assess response to fluid resuscitation. It is easy to save scans and export files which aids with credentialing and maintaining evidence of volume of practice.
Overall, the ease of use and high quality images the Lumify generates has enabled me to perform multiple FoCUS scans on a regular basis which has really kickstarted my journey in learning and acquiring expertise in bedside echo.
"Whilst there are cheaper probes on the market, the Lumify certainly has superior image quality, design and functionality.”
Linear probe
When I purchased the Lumify cardiac probe I decided to also invest in the linear probe. Whilst this comes at an extra cost, I have not regretted it. The images on the linear probe are sharp and high quality. In-plane and out-of-plane needle visualisation is excellent providing the best conditions for performing vascular access and regional blocks. Once again, the portability of the Lumify and quick, easy set up makes it very convenient when I have come across a patient with unexpectedly difficult access. This has benefited my private practice avoiding the delays of obtaining an ultrasound unit which have generally been scarcer in private hospitals and as a result, taken longer for my anaesthetic assistant to source. Similarly, it has been helpful if I have struggled with an arterial line allowing me to quickly see where my needle is in relation to the artery and adjust accordingly. The smaller footprint of the Lumify has also helped perform regional blocks in some of the smaller induction rooms in our theatre complex. This provides better ergonomics where previously the block would have been performed in the operating theatre.
The Lumify is a great portable ultrasound system which I would recommend to any anaesthetist. Whilst there are cheaper probes on the market, the Lumify certainly has superior image quality, design and functionality. The ability to save your images without maintaining a membership with recurring cost is another advantage. The modern day anaesthetist is proficient at using ultrasound in many critical aspects of clinical practice and the utility of ultrasound is ever increasing. This is particularly evident in the expanding interest of bedside echo in all critical care specialties. Having a high quality portable ultrasound such as the Lumify at your immediate disposal facilitates ongoing professional development and improves your everyday clinical practice- I daresay it even makes it more enjoyable!
“The smaller footprint of the Lumify has also helped perform regional blocks in some of the smaller induction rooms in our theatre complex.”
