## The probes are most of the decision
A system is only as useful as the transducers on it, and probes are a large share of what an ultrasound machine is worth. A curvilinear probe covers abdominal and obstetric work; a linear probe is what you need for vascular, small parts and line placement; a phased array is for cardiac. Confirm exactly which probes are included in writing before agreeing anything, because a system quoted without them is not a working system.
Probes are also the most fragile part. Ask for each one to have been tested element by element — a probe with dead elements produces a dropout artefact that looks like pathology, which is the worst kind of fault an imaging system can have.
## What else to check
Confirm the licensed software options, because measurement packages are frequently licensed per feature and do not always transfer. Check that the machine can export in DICOM if it has to talk to a PACS, and confirm the report printer and its consumables are available locally.
## Installation
We deliver, install, verify image quality on a phantom or a volunteer, and hand over to the sonographer or consultant who will use it.