Transducer and System Care

Related Care Information

System Maintenance
System Maintenance
System Maintenance

Maintenance should be performed regularly and as needed. Because the system is a piece of medical equipment that contains several circuit boards, extensive service diagnostics, and complex operating software, Philips recommends that only trained personnel service the system.

Cleaning and Maintaining the System

It is important to clean and maintain the ultrasound system and peripherals. Thorough cleaning is particularly important for pieces of peripheral equipment, because they contain electromechanical devices. If exposed to constant and excessive environmental dust and humidity, these devices will suffer in both performance and reliability.

It is essential to clean the transducers used with your ultrasound system. The cleaning procedures vary for the different types of transducers and their uses. For detailed instructions on how to clean and maintain each type of transducer used with the system, including disinfectant compatibility, see Transducer Care Overview.

System Control Panel Maintenance

The system control panel and other outer surfaces are most likely to be affected by liquid spills and other materials such as excessive amounts of gel. These materials may seep into electrical components under the panel and cause intermittent failures. During preventive maintenance, look for such potential problems including loose knobs and worn controls.

Cleaning the System and ECG Equipment

Use this method to clean the system and the electrocardiogram (ECG) cables, leads, and electrodes. You can use a mild soap solution on most surfaces. If the equipment has come in contact with blood or infectious material, you can clean most surfaces with a 70% solution of isopropyl alcohol. For instructions on disinfecting system surfaces, see Disinfecting System Surfaces (below).

WARNING

Always use protective eyewear and gloves when cleaning and disinfecting any equipment.

CAUTIONS

Orient the parts that must remain dry higher than the wet parts until all parts are dry.

When cleaning the system control panel, monitor screen, touch screen, and keyboard, take care not to get any solution inside the housings.

Do not use strong solvents, common cleaning products, or abrasive cleansers, which will damage the system surfaces.

Do not touch the displays with sharp objects or use paper towels to clean them, which may damage them.

Use the following procedure to clean these system parts:

Display screens, including monitor and touch screens

System control panel

External surfaces of the system and the cart

ECG trunk cables, leads, and electrodes

1. Before cleaning, turn off the system and unplug the power cord from the power source.

2. To clean display screens:

Remove dust with a soft, lint-free cloth. A microfiber cloth is recommended.

Clean the screens with a liquid screen cleaner specifically designed for LCDs: Spray the liquid onto the cleaning cloth or spray sparingly onto the displays. You can also use pre-moistened screen wipes.

Dry the displays with a soft, lint-free cloth.

CAUTIONS

Take care not to get any solution inside the housings.

Take care not to scratch the face of the display while cleaning it.

Do not use cleaners containing bleach on the displays. It may damage the surfaces.

3. To clean the control panel, remove any solid matter around keys or controls with a cotton swab or toothpick to ensure that solids are not pushed into the cabinet. Wipe with a soft cloth moistened with soap and water.

CAUTION

Do not spill or spray liquid on the controls, into the system cabinet, or into the transducer receptacles.

4. To clean the remaining external surfaces of the system and the cart, ECG trunk cables, leads, and electrodes, wipe with a soft cloth moistened with soap and water. You may use alcohol for stubborn stains or inks, then wash with soap and water.

5. If the equipment has come in contact with blood or infectious material, you can clean most surfaces with a 70% solution of isopropyl alcohol. For instructions on disinfecting system surfaces, see Disinfecting System Surfaces (below).

CAUTION

If blood or other infectious material comes in contact with a transducer or transducer cable, do not wipe with isopropyl alcohol until you have read specific cleaning guidelines. Isopropyl alcohol use is highly restricted on transducers and should never be used on any parts of the transducer cable. Additional cleaning agents are also available for transducers.

6. Remove any residue with a cloth moistened with sterile water.

7. Dry the equipment to prevent potential corrosion.

Disinfectants for System Surfaces

The exterior surfaces of the system can be disinfected using a compatible disinfectant with a wipe method. System surfaces include monitor screens, the touch screens, and plastic and painted surfaces.

The following products can be used on all system surfaces except monitor screens and touch screens:

Mild soap solution

70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA)

PI-Spray II (QUAT ammonium based)

Opti-Cide 3 (QUAT ammonium based)

Sani-Cloth HB (QUAT ammonium based)

Sani-Cloth Plus (QUAT ammonium based)

Oxivir TB (Accelerated hydrogen peroxide based)

CAUTION

Do not use acetone, MEK, paint thinner, or other strong solvents to clean plastics.

Do not use Sani-Cloth AF3 or Super Sani-Cloth to disinfect the system.

The following products can be used on monitor screens and touch screens:

Cleaners designed for LCDs

Deionized water

The disinfectants listed above for plastic and painted surfaces may be used when necessary on the display screens, but are not recommended for routine cleaning. Do not use glass cleaners or products containing alcohol. Use microfiber cloth; do not use paper towels.

Surfaces are resistant to ultrasound gel, alcohol, and disinfectants, but if used, must be wiped off immediately to prevent permanent damage.

Disinfecting System Surfaces

Before performing this procedure, read Disinfectants for System Surfaces (above). Because the system is a piece of medical equipment that contains several circuit boards, extensive service diagnostics, and complex operating software, Philips recommends that only trained personnel service the system.

WARNING

Always use protective eyewear and gloves when cleaning and disinfecting any equipment.

CAUTIONS

Use only compatible disinfectants on system surfaces.

Do not spray disinfectant directly on system surfaces. When wiping, do not allow disinfectant to pool or run on system surfaces. In either case, disinfectant may leak into the system, damaging the system and voiding the warranty. Wipe only with a cloth or applicator that is lightly dampened.

If you use an isopropyl alcohol solution for disinfection, ensure that the solution is only 70% alcohol or less. Solutions of more than 70% alcohol can cause product damage.

Turn off the system and disconnect the system power cord from the wall outlet.

Clean the system according to the procedures in Cleaning the System and ECG Equipment (above).

Choose the disinfection solution compatible with your system and follow the label instructions for preparation and solution strength. If a pre-mixed solution is used, be sure to observe the solution expiration date.

Wipe system surfaces with the disinfectant, following disinfectant label instructions for wipe durations, solution strengths, and disinfectant contact duration. Ensure that the solution strength and duration of contact are appropriate for the intended clinical application.

Air dry or towel dry with a sterile cloth according to the instructions on the disinfectant label.

Regularly clean the outside of the system as described in Cleaning the System and ECG Equipment (above).

Cleaning the Trackball

Cleaning the trackball regularly prolongs its useful life and prevents service calls.

Remove the ring around the trackball using the appropriate procedure for your system.

Lift the trackball out of the mounting area.

Clean the trackball and the mounting area with a lint-free cloth or a small brush.

Place the ball back on the mounting area.

With your fingers, screw the ring back on.

Cleaning the System Air Filter

The system air filters should be inspected every week and cleaned as needed. If you decide to clean the air filters with soap and water, you may want to install a spare filter while the other filter is drying. Additional air filters can be ordered from Philips.

For the location of the air filter, see your system User Manual.

WARNING

Before performing maintenance or cleaning, always turn off the system, and then disconnect the system from the wall outlet.

CAUTIONS

Turn off power before you remove the air filter. Do not turn on power without the air filter installed.

Ensure that air filter is dry before installing it. Installing a wet or damp air filter can damage the system.

Locate the air filter handle.

Pull the air filter handle straight out, until the filter is completely removed from the system.

Inspect the filter. Depending on the condition of the air filter, vacuum or rinse the filter with water to clean it. If the filter is worn out, or cannot be cleaned, replace it with a spare.

To reinstall the filter, slide the filter into place.

NOTE

Some systems have a setting for setting the air filter maintenance status. For instructions, see your system User Manual.
Ultrasound Transmission Gels
Ultrasound Transmission Gels
Ultrasound transmission gels

For proper transmission of the acoustic beam, use the ultrasound transmission gel supplied by or recommended by Philips, or another glycol-, glycerol-, or water-based acoustic coupling medium. Products that do not contain mineral oil are acceptable for use. Never use lotion-based products.

WARNING

For intraoperative applications, use only the Sterile Aquasonic or Sterile Ultraphonic gel provided with the transducer cover.

CAUTIONS

Do not apply gel to the transducer until you are ready to perform the procedure. Transducers should not be left soaking in gel.

Do not use gels that contain mineral oil or lotion. Such products may damage the transducer and void the warranty.

Gels listed here are recommended because of their chemical compatibility with product materials. Some recommended gels include:

Aquasonic 100

Aquasonic Clear

Carbogel-ULT

ECG Gel (Nicom)

Nemidon Gel

Scan

For additional compatibility information, call Philips at 800-722-9377 (North America) or your local Philips representative (outside North America).
Transducer Storage and Transport
Transducer Storage and Transport
Transducer storage and transport

Use the appropriate guidelines for storing transducers for transport, and daily and long-term storage.

Storage for Transport

If a carrying case is provided with your transducer, always use the carrying case to transport the transducer from one site to another. Follow these guidelines to properly store transducers for transport:

Make sure that the transducer is clean and disinfected before placing it in the case, to avoid contaminating the foam that lines the carrying case.

Place the transducer in the case carefully to prevent kinking of the cable.

Before closing the lid, make sure that no part of the transducer is protruding from the case.

Wrap the case in plastic material containing air pockets (such as Bubble Wrap material), and pack the wrapped case in a cardboard carton.

To avoid damaging the shaft or steering mechanism of TEE transducers, do not bend or coil the flexible shaft of the transducer in less than a 0.30-m (1-ft) diameter circle.

Daily and Long-Term Storage

Follow these guidelines to protect your transducer:

Always store transducers in the transducer holders on the side of your system or on a securely mounted wall rack when you are not using them.

Ensure that the transducer holders are clean before storing transducers (see Disinfecting System Surfaces, above in System Maintenance section).

Avoid storing transducers in areas of temperature extremes or in direct sunlight.

Store transducers separately from other instruments, to avoid inadvertent transducer damage.

When storing transducers, use the cable-management clips to secure the transducer cable.

Before storing transducers, make sure they are thoroughly dry.

For TEE transducers, be sure the distal tip is straight and protected before storing the transducer.

Never store a TEE transducer in the carrying case, except to transport it.
Supplies, Accessories, and Customer Service
Supplies, Accessories, and Customer Service

Supplies, accessories and customer service

To order ECG trunk cables, lead sets, and electrodes; transducer covers; bite guards; biopsy guides; and other supplies and accessories, contact CIVCO Medical Solutions:

CIVCO Medical Solutions
102 First Street South, Kalona, IA 52247-9589
Telephone: 800-445-6741 (USA and Canada), +1 319-248-6757 (International)
Fax: 877-329-2482 (USA and Canada), +1 319-248-6660 (International)
E-mail: info@civco.com
Internet: www.civco.com

Customer Service

Customer service representatives are available worldwide to answer questions and to provide maintenance and service. Please contact your local Philips representative for assistance. You can also contact the following office for referral to a customer service representative, or visit the Philips Healthcare Contact us website.

Philips Ultrasound, Inc.
22100 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell, WA 98021-8431, USA

800-722-9377

Transducer and System Care

Related Care Information

System Maintenance

Ultrasound transmission gels

Transducer storage and transport

Supplies, accessories and customer service

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