I commented on the post that you can get a thermal imaging camera that plugs into your iPhone for $250 http://www.thermal.com/thermal-cameras/ . So I think that any price above that for a unit that looks like it has a CRT monitor from the 90's is a bit expensive. I just want one as a toy and to experiment with, and think the cost is out of reach of that.
There is 0 chance that a US hospital or clinician will risk using an off-label ultrasound machine from china on a single patient. It's almost guaranteed to not be FDA/CE approved. That's how you get a malpractice suit.
But the article also talks about the many other potential uses of ultrasound machines. For hobby use $1000 is still a bit steep, but for classroom use that might be doable.
For low income uninsured folks, it could find use. Especially in lower income countries. America holds its self to such a high medical bar that many simply can't afford healthcare. That is unreasonable.