About Camilla...

The expert behind this independent review!

Dr Camilla Edwards, a peripatetic veterinary ultrasonographer in
Cambridge, founded FOVU First Opinion Veterinary Ultrasound in
2018 after earning her veterinary degree in 2006. Camilla's
veterinary ultrasound expertise is widely recognised through her
numerous lectures, ultrasound machine reviews, podcasts, online courses, and exclusive membership to help veterinary professionals master and confidently use ultrasound.

FOVU is a worldwide source of veterinary ultrasound expertise, with
a primary mission to educate, support, and empower veterinary
professionals in improving their ultrasound skills. FOVU’s goal is to
increase confidence in operating ultrasound machines and improve
scanning skills to diagnose patients effectively.

Philips

Affiniti 50/70

What the manufacturers say:

We designed Philips Affiniti 50 to give you the confident result you need, in the time you have.  Engineered for efficiency and reliability and powered by Philips superb performance, it gets you diagnostic images you need, quickly - even on the most technically difficult patients.  Its intuitive design and walk-up usability help you provide elegant, efficient care - every day.

Affiniti 70 is a complete echocardiography solution that addresses the needs of a busy department or office while incorporating those innovations that make Philips ultrasound the global leader in echocardiography.

PRICE: £25K+

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More about the manufacturer:

Philips leverages the experiences of its customers to design Affiniti 70 to address the challenges of daily scanning. We understand the reality of tight spaces, high patient volume, technically difficult patients, and time constraints, and we’ve designed the system with thoughtful details to help lighten your workload.

Specifications

Standard Configurations

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High definition 21.5 inch LCD display 

Tablet-like Touch Screen  

Automatic mode switching including 3D 

Four transducer ports, and one-handed transducer access 

QuickSAVE feature 

One 3-lead ECG input 

Supports up to two on-board peripheral devices 

Left Ventricular Opacification (LVO) 

Automation features  

83.5 kg (184 lb) 

What do I think?

The Philips Affiniti 50/70 cart-based ultrasound machine excels in some aspects, it does come with a few drawbacks that may give potential buyers pause. One notable highlight of the Affiniti 50/70 is its ability to adjust cineloop length seamlessly during scanning. This feature simplifies the process and ensures that vets can capture the most critical moments for analysis with ease. The user-friendly adjustment adds efficiency to the imaging process, which can be a significant benefit in time-sensitive situations. 

Another commendable aspect of this ultrasound machine is its focal zone control. Unlike some machines that rely on centimeter depth markers, the Affiniti 50/70 follows the convex image lineproviding more accurate and precise control over imaging depth. This attention to detail and thought is seen throughout. 

However, there are notable downsides to consider. The probes on the Affiniti 50/70 may give the impression of sturdiness due to their bulky design. Still, this can become a drawback when dealing with smaller patients, like cats. The larger probes may hinder manoeuvrability and could lead to suboptimal results when scanning such subjects, potentially limiting the machine's versatility. 

One aspect that disappoints is the image quality. Considering the cost of the Affiniti 50/70, one might expect higher image quality. While it performs adequately for many diagnostic purposes, it falls short of delivering the exceptional image clarity seen in some competitors within the same price range. 

In summary, the Philips Affiniti 50/70 ultrasound machine offers a convenient and precise imaging experience, with the ability to adjust cineloop length and accurate focal zone control being standout features. However, the bulky probes may limit its use with smaller patients, and the limited export format is somewhat restrictive. Furthermore, the image quality does not meet the expectations set by the machine's price point. Ultimately, the Affiniti 50/70 is a capable tool for veterinary surgeonsbut potential buyers should carefully consider their specific needs and priorities before making a purchase.

My scores:

My 5-point scoring system ranges from 1 (the lowest) to 5 (the highest). A score of 1 implies significant issues, 2 signals below-average performance, 3 is satisfactory, 4 reflects above-average performance, and 5 represents exceptional quality or achievement.  After assessing each category, the total score is converted into a percentage for the overall performance review.

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Ease of settings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Image quality ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Value for money ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Robustness ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Portability ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Not sure what machine is right for you?

When people talk to me about ultrasound machines, they are often overwhelmed by the choice and unsure about what machine is best for their practice.

In my experience, the most important factor that everyone is looking for is the best image quality for their budget.

To ease the overwhelm, I've designed a quiz that explores your needs and budget. By answering key questions below, you'll streamline your search and receive a tailored recommendation for the perfect machine that suits your practice.