The Sonara is a digital Transcranial Doppler technology that has been considered for many years as the leading TCD choice for medical practitioners in the USA and internationally. It was originally acquired and distributed globally by Viasys Healthcare, followed by Carefusion, and more recently, as part of Natus. In all cases, the Sonara was distributed under the Nicolet brand name.
Sonara is a standalone TCD machine (unilateral model and bilateral model) featuring a partially digital Doppler processing. It has a 15″ touch display, it weighs roughly 10 Kg, and it has a unique user interface. The Sonara software comes with many customizable options and reporting features.
Sonara/tek was truly an amazing surprise to the TCD market. Sonara/tek is a unilateral TCD module that connects with a USB to any PC running Windows and works with the same Sonara TCD software. It was well-received by the market due to its relatively small dimensions and a lower price range. It was an interesting alternative to the Sonara standalone TCD machine.
As far as the market understands, Sonara has reached its End of Life. It may be possible to find used Sonara TCD machines or used Sonara/tek TCD machines but their condition is unclear. With today’s new TCD technologies that are cost-effective and can be purchased at a reasonable price, it is probably not the best idea to invest in a secondhand TCD device that has reached its End of Life.
We are now seeing many existing TCD users looking for an alternative to Sonara. Several TCD technologists told us that it is difficult to find replacement parts for Sonara.
Dolphin TCD machine is a modern device with cutting-edge digital technology and post-processing capabilities. It has numerous advancements over the Sonara and Sonara/Tek, including a battery-integrated TCD machine and a robotic headframe, the Dolphin/XF. In fact, many of the new additions to the Dolphin are unique in the general TCD world.
Dolphin is developed by Viasonix, with the same team that originally developed the Sonara TCD, making it the top choice replacement solution for the Sonara TCD!
The table below is a very partial list of the improvements of the Dolphin over the Sonara TCD:
Option or Feature | Sonara | Dolphin/MAX |
---|---|---|
Technology | Partially analog | Advanced, Fully digital |
Integrated Battery | ||
Data Processing | Completely flexible, available for offline post-processing | |
Weight | 10 Kg | 6 kg |
Display size | 15” Square | 18” Wide Screen |
Touch Screen | Resistive | Multi Touch Capacitive |
1.6 Transcranial probe | ||
Intraoperative probe | ||
Cybersecurity protections | ||
External channels | ||
Camera support | ||
Wireless remote control | ||
Capnograph support | ||
Full HD Resolution Support | ||
4D Replay along ultrasound beam | ||
Shared Database solution for unlimited review stations | ||
DICOM Structured Reporting | ||
Post processing of Depth, sound, gain, sample, scale and filter | ||
Multi Depth with parameters and envelope | ||
PFO Protocol | ||
Sickle Cell Protocol | ||
Cognitive Response | ||
Vasospasm Protocol | ||
Waveform Labels (manual and automatic) | ||
Unlimited configurable protocols | ||
Advanced free text report editor | ||
Advanced data backup options | ||
Configurable user profile settings | ||
Advanced HITS Analysis display | ||
Customized Patient Details Page | ||
Dedicated and separately configurable print layouts for each type of test | ||
Advanced search | ||
Quick review of previous exams |
If you are looking for an alternative to Sonara, please leave us a message or send us an email. We will be happy to connect you with your local Dolphin TCD representative.
Contact us via email: [email protected]
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Our team will respond back quickly!