For over three decades, Dr. Chitra Ganesh has been at the forefront of obstetric and fetal imaging in India. As a Senior Fetal Medicine Consultant and Director of Karthik Ultrasound Scan Center in Bangalore, she has established her clinic as a center of excellence in the field. Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Chitra is also a dedicated mentor and trainer, having guided more than a thousand obstetricians, making advanced fetal care more accessible to patients around the country.
Her journey, which began in 1994, has been defined by a relentless pursuit of precision, clarity, and patient-focused
care. This focus on excellence extends to her choice of equipment, which must meet the rigorous demands of both a high-volume clinical practice and a training institute where early career professionals need easy to use equipment.
In her view, ultrasound imaging systems should combine clarity, usability, and affordability. “The machine should be simple, easy to operate and produce good resolution images, so that physicians are confident in their interpretation,” she explains.
Her search for a machine that could seamlessly blend advanced technology with user-friendly operation - suitable for early career professionals whom she trains on ultrasound - led her to Mindray’s Consona N6.
Dr. Chitra was introduced to the Consona N6 about a year ago. “Once I started using the machine myself, I could see that image is coming out very good, you can do an entire fetal medicine scan, a higher-end scan with the machine,” she recalls.
This capability to perform high-end fetal scans, which typically require a more advanced system, immediately set the Consona N6 apart. It demonstrated the machine’s ability to deliver high-quality results in both routine and complex cases.
At the heart of the Consona N6’s performance is its imaging - ZST+ Technology (Zone Sonography Technology), which focuses the entire field at once eliminating the need to manually adjust focal length
The machine’s one-touch optimization features further streamline the scanning process. The iTouch+ function instantly optimizes the image for clarity, while iZoom allows for full-screen magnification without any deterioration in its resolution. “The one touch optimization helps you to optimize the image with respect to either the B mode, color mode, as well as the doppler mode.”
The machine’s one-touch optimization features further streamline the scanning process. The iTouch+ function instantly optimizes the image for clarity, while iZoom allows for full-screen magnification without any deterioration in its resolution. “The one touch optimization helps you to optimize the image with respect to either the B mode, color mode, as well as the doppler mode.”
The machine’s one-touch optimization features further streamline the scanning process. The iTouch+ function instantly optimizes the image for clarity, while iZoom allows for full-screen magnification without any deterioration in its resolution. “The one touch optimization helps you to optimize the image with respect to either the B mode, color mode, as well as the doppler mode.”
For a practicing obstetrician, time is a precious commodity. The Consona N6 is designed to optimize workflow and reduce
the time spent on manual adjustments, thereby improving overall efficiency.
The machine’s automated features are a significant advantage. Dr. Chitra highlights the importance of Smart OB, which automatically measures key biometric values like BPD, HC, FL, and AC. For busy obstetricians, this means faster, more confident decision-making, and for patients it means faster scans and reduced discomfort.
Mindray’s attention to ergonomics is evident in the machine’s design notes Dr. Chitra. It is sleek, lightweight, and easily mobile. The large screen provides a clear view of the images, while the minimal, easy-to-use knobs and touch panel simplify the workflow.
As a trainer, Dr. Chitra understands the challenges new practitioners face. The Consona N6 is uniquely equipped to address these challenges with its innovative iScanHelper feature. This built-in tutorial acts as a "second teacher" or "assistant teacher" for students.
The iScanHelper provides a reference image on a split screen, allowing students to learn and practice independently and build confidence.
"This feature in Consona N6 can also help the students once they complete their training and start their own practice. When they are starting their own practice, they will be able to recollect how the image should look like, and for that they always have the reference to fall back on," says Dr. Chitra.
The Consona N6 is not just a tool for today; it is a long-term investment in a practitioner’s future. Dr. Chitra describes it as a "smart one-time investment" for a practicing obstetrician. She highlights the machine’s software upgradability, which allows doctors to add advanced features like a 3D probe later without having to replace the entire system. This makes the machine economically viable and ensures it remains relevant for years to come.
For Dr. Chitra, the Consona N6 represents more than advanced imaging - it supports patient care,improves efficiency, and enhances training. “With advances in innovation and technology like what we are seeing in Consona, the future is indeed bright, both for the patients and for the upcoming fetal medicine consultants,” she reflects.