Ultrasound Transducers

Handling GE Healthcare Transducers:

• Avoid dropping, impact, or abrasion to transducers. Careless handling can result in damaged acoustic lens, piezoelectric element breakage, cracked housings, and cable or system connector damage. Never use transducers with cracked or damaged housings, shaft, acoustic lens, strain relief or cable assemblies as these issues may increase cross-contamination risks and compromise electrical safety features of the transducer.
• Avoid excessive twisting, pulling, pinching or kinking of transducer cable assemblies. When transporting transducers, maintain control of cables and system connectors. Use protective accessories if possible.
• Prevent introduction of foreign objects or moisture in the system connector assembly. Do not apply excessive force on any component of the system connector.
• Do not allow prolonged exposure to excessive moisture or immersion of transducers in any liquid above the recommended level as stated in the user manual for your system. Do not soak transducers in any liquid for longer than the recommended period according to the chemical manufacturer instructions for use.
• Avoid rapid and extreme temperature changes, as well as lengthy exposure to direct sunlight or a strong ultraviolet light source.
• Use caution when applying coupling gel to the acoustic lens of a transducer. Any hard or abrasive materials coming in contact with the acoustic lens may damage the transducer and reduce image quality. Transducers with evidence of improper care and handling, abuse or tampering are not covered under your product warranty or service contract. All transducers are subject to evaluation by GE Healthcare Ultrasound Service.

Important Notices:
Only use cleaning, disinfectant or gel products that are materially compatible with GE Healthcare transducers. GE Healthcare warranties and service contracts do not cover, and GE Healthcare is not responsible for, damage caused by cleaning, disinfectant or gel products that are not materially compatible with GE Healthcare transducers.

Prior to use instructions

Before use, inspect the following areas of the transducer:

• Transducer body (shaft, handle, & nose-piece): inspect for cracks, abrasions, or evidence of impact.
• Acoustic lens or cap: check for cuts, tears, gouging, abrasion, swelling, bubbling, delamination or discoloration.
• Strain relief and cable assembly: check for cracks, cuts, tears, abrasion, kinking or crushing.
• System connector: check for foreign objects, broken latches, or bent pins and shielding.
• Cable assembly: check for discoloration or inflexibility of the transducer cable or strain-relief.
• Transesophageal transducers (TEE): inspect the flexible portion for tears, rips, or discoloration.

Warning: Cross-contamination

Transducers with cracks, abrasions or tears may harbor dangerous contaminants or may tear protective sheaths used with the ultrasound transducers. Do not use transducers with any signs of damage.

Warning: Electrical leakage

Non-hazardous voltage is present during normal transducer use. GE Healthcare recommends regular electrical safety leakage testing to help ensure operator and equipment safety.

Transporting transducers

Follow these guidelines to protect your transducer:

• Always clean and disinfect any transducer before transporting between sites or sending it via freight carrier.
• If a carrying case is provided with your transducer, always use the carrying case to transport the transducer from one site to another. The original shipping carton may also be used for transporting from site to site as long as the transducer has been cleaned and disinfected. Warning: Placing a dirty or contaminated transducer in a carrying case or shipping carton will contaminate the foam insert.
• Do not use cloth or plastic bags to transport transducers. This will result in damage to the transducer.
• If possible, use a rigid container with a lid and that secures the system connector in place so as not to damage the transducer head or lens.
• For TEE transducers - do not coil the flexible shaft too tightly. Coil should be 1 foot or greater in diameter.

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.
• Make sure the transducer holders are clean before storing transducers.
• Avoid storing transducers in areas of temperature extremes or in direct sunlight.
• When storing transducers, use the cable-management clips to secure the transducer cable.
• 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.