User's Manual

111
1 ndee
Transducer Care and Operator Safety
10
P6992-4, EN, 16/12/6
10
Transducer Care
All Philips transducers require proper care, cleaning, and handling This section contains information
and instructions to help you effectively clean, disinfect, and sterilize the transducers that are compatible
with your system Additionally, these instructions help avoid damage during cleaning, disinfection, and
sterilization, which could void your warranty
Reasonable care includes inspection, cleaning, and disinfection or sterilization, as necessary Transducers
must be cleaned after each use Inspect all parts of the transducer carefully before each use Check for
cracks or other damage that jeopardizes the integrity of the transducer
Transducer Care and Operator Safety
Observe the following warnings and cautions during all cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization procedures
and when using disinfectants More specific warnings and cautions are included within the care and
cleaning procedures and on the labels of the cleaning or disinfection solutions
Disinfectants are recommended because of their chemical compatibility with product materials,
not their biological effectiveness For the biological effectiveness of a disinfectant, see the
guidelines and recommendations of the disinfectant manufacturer, the US Food and Drug
Administration, and the US Centers for Disease Control
The level of disinfection required for a device is dictated by the type of tissue it will contact during
use Ensure the disinfectant type is appropriate for the type of transducer and the transducer
application For information on the levels of disinfection requirements, see Transducer Care
Methods on page 113 Also, see the disinfectant label instructions and the recommendations of
the Association for Professionals in Infection Control, the US Food and Drug Administration, and
the US Centers for Disease Control
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Do not drop the transducer on the hard surface, as this will damage the transducer elements
and compromise the electrical safety of the transducer
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Avoid kinking or pinching the transducer cable
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Do not allow sharp objects, such as scissors, scalpels, or cauterizing knives, to touch
transducers or cables
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Do not use damaged or flawed transducers
Do not expose transducers to direct heat such as strong sunlight or local heat sources Heat ages
the crystal and causes loss of sensitivity
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Transducers are highly-sensitive instruments and are easily damaged due to improper
operations Use the transducers with extra care and avoid damages when not in use
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Perform regular testing and periodic maintenance including inspection of the transducer
assembly for cracks that allow the ingress of conductive fluid
Do not immerse the transducer into liquids beyond its binding line, and never immerse the
transducer connector into any liquids
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Use only the approved ultrasound coupling gels
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Use only couplants specifically designed for ultrasound examinations Do not use mineral-oil or
vegetable-based couplants, which can damage transducers