Damage to ultrasound transducers, cables, and connectors. A pictorial guide to prevention, detection, and management.

Abstract

Purpose: All ultrasound scanner components, including transducer arrays, cables, and connectors, may undergo a number of damages, due to injuries, overuse, and aging. Damages impact on image quality, patient safety and healthcare budgets. Probes, particularly represent very important, sophisticated, and expensive components. This review aims to illustrate common forms of damage and educate ultrasound operators on how to recognize, manage, and prevent them.

Methods: Through the years we have collected a number of images related to damages to ultrasound equipment, including their appearance on the ultrasound screen, such artifact in B-mode image, color artifact, and noise in image. Based on our experience and a literature review, we provide information and recommendations for recognizing and managing such damage.

Results: Common causes of probe damage include improper handling, transport, cleaning, storage, and reprocessing. Main damages are defective cable conditions, acoustic lens issues, crystal damage, transducer house assembly cracks, multiplexer scanning image issue, strain relief condition, connector issues, gel issue/matching layer swelling, and leakage of probe oil.

Conclusion: Ultrasound operators must be aware of probe damage and respond promptly to signs of malfunction. This vigilance may prevent irreversible harm and enable repair rather than replacement. Proactive care and regular inspections are essential. Periodic inspection and quality control tests must be scheduled. Remote control of the scanners by the manufacturer may also be helpful.