P26
Thermal safety
Keep a safety thermal environment for the patient always been a design priority at
Leltek. The operating temperature of the ultrasound probe must remain below 43°C.
Biological Safety
This section contains information about biological safety and a discussion of the
prudent use of the system.
Do not use a system that exhibits erratic or inconsistent image updating.
Discontinuities in the scanning sequence indicate a hardware failure that must
be corrected before use.
Latex
ASUSultrasound equipment’s transducers do not contain natural rubber latex
that contacts humans.
FDA’s recommendations to health professionals concerning latex awareness as
follows:
•
When taking general histories of patients, include questions about latex
sensitivity. For surgical and radiology patients, spina bifida patients and
health care workers, this recommendation is especially important.
Questions about itching, rash or wheezing after wearing latex gloves or
inflating a toy balloon may be useful. To the patients with positive
histories should mark their charts.
•
If latex sensitivity is suspected, consider using devices made with
alternative materials, such as plastic. For example, a health professional
could wear a non-latex glove over the latex glove if the patient is
sensitive. If both the health professional and the patient are sensitive, a
latex middle glove could be used. (Latex gloves labeled “Hypoallergenic”
may not always prevent adverse reactions.)
•
Whenever latex-containing medical devices are used, especially when
the latex comes in contact with mucous membranes, be alert to the
possibility of an allergic reaction.
•
If an allergic reaction does occur and latex is suspected, advise the
patient of a possible latex sensitivity and consider an immunologic
evaluation.
•
Advise the patient to tell health professionals and emergency personnel
about any known latex sensitivity before undergoing medical procedures.
Consider advising patients with severe latex sensitivity to wear a medical
identification bracelet.
Bioeffects
Biological effects of ultrasound are the potential biological consequences due to the
interaction between the ultrasound wave and the scanned tissues. Concern about
the safety of ultrasound prompted several agencies to devise regulatory limits on
