Cleaning And Maintenance Of Probes; Cleaning And Disinfection Of Ultrasound Probes - GE Voluson Swift Instructions For Use Manual

Probes and Biopsies

5.2 Cleaning and maintenance of probes

Note
Recommendation for cleaning and disinfection of ultrasound probes:
5-4
•
Approved coupling gels support optimal transmission of energy between the patient and
the probe.
When scanning in air (Ultrasound probe is not in contact with a human body or a phantom)
most of the ultrasound energy is reflected at the lens-air surface and bounces back and
forward between that interface and the transducer ceramics. Already the smallest deviation
from the ideal geometrical shape of the reflecting interfaces can cause irregularities in the
reverberation pattern across the transducer surface. However, when the probe is coupled to
the human skin or a phantom by using a sufficient amount of coupling gel most of the
ultrasound energy passes the lens-skin interface and these small geometrical deviations will
have a negligible effect on the ultrasound signal and image quality. Therefore variations of the
reverberation pattern along the transducer cannot be used for judging image and transducer
quality. The use of a tissue mimicking phantom is strongly recommended to assess image
quality.
Probes have been ergonomically designed to:
•
Handle and manipulate with ease.
•
Connect to the system with one hand.
•
Be lightweight and balanced.
•
Have rounded edges and smooth surfaces.
The information provided in this chapter is intended to increase user awareness of the risks of
disease transmission associated with using this equipment and provide guidance in making
decisions directly affecting the safety of the patient as well as the equipment user.
Diagnostic ultrasound systems utilize ultrasound energy that must be coupled to the patient by
direct physical contact. Depending on the type of examination, this contact occurs with a
variety of tissues.
The level of risk of infection varies greatly with the type of contact.
One of the most effective ways to prevent transmission between patients is with single use or
disposable devices. However, ultrasound transducers are complex and expensive devices that
must be reused between patients. It is very important, therefore, to minimize the risk of
disease transmission by using barriers.
Read all safety precautions before proceeding.
Please consult our constantly updated Probe Care Card:
•
The Probe Care Card is supplied with every probe and can also be downloaded from
http://www.gehealthcare.com/products/ultrasound/ultrasound-transducers
•
The listed products have been validated for appropriate cleaning and disinfection of the
probes.
First steps:
1. Remove the probe sheath.
2. Disconnect the probe from the ultrasound console.
3. Remove all coupling gel and other visible substances from the probe by wiping with a
soft dry cloth. To remove material dried to the surface moisten the cloth with lukewarm
water.
4. After each use, inspect the lens, cable, and housing of the probe. Look for any damage
that would allow liquid to enter the probe. If the probe is damaged, do not place it into
any liquid (e.g. for disinfection) and do not use it until it has been inspected and repaired/
replaced by a GE Service Representative.
Voluson™ SWIFT / Voluson SWIFT+ Instructions For Use
5831612-100 Revision 4