Section 5
Maintenance and Service
5
- 3
It is recommended that calibration be performed
prior to obtaining measurements; however, the
calibration mode can be skipped if so desired by
touching any of the other menu buttons on the
right side of the screen when the Calibration
Screen appears.
A-SCAN SENSITIVITY TEST
Sonomed A-scan probes are constructed to be
reliable products which may be used for several
years. However, the nature of the transducers
within the probes is such that degradation can
occur over extended lengths of time. The
sensitivity test can determine the sensitivity of
an A-scan probe, and should be performed if the
probe has begun exhibiting suspect performance.
1. Connect the probe connector to the side
panel jack labeled "A-PROBE". Before
inserting be sure to line up the red indicator
dots on both the jack and cable connector.
2. Adjust the GAIN control to maximum.
3. Press
[ MEASURE ]
key to view the A-
Scan display.
4. Place a small amount of coupling gel onto
the calibration cylinder.
5. Place probe against top surface of cylinder
and apply a slight pressure to ensure good
contact with the cylinder.
6. There should now be displayed three (3)
echoes all equally spaced and of varying
height.
7.
A system operating at peak sensitivity
should show a third echo at least ½ the
height of the second echo.
IMPORTANT
A system where the results of the sensitivity test
are such that the third echo is not at least ½ the
height of the second echo (or which shows no
third echo at all) may be not be sensitive
enough to perform accurate scans.
In general this is due to a loss of sensitivity in
the Probe. If this is the case the Probe should
be replaced. However, in order to confirm that
it is the probe which is the cause of the
problem, it is necessary for evaluation by
Sonomed.
For further assistance, please contact the
Sonomed Service Department at 800-227-1285.
!
