MODULE 11

VERIFYING ASPEN™ ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

Overview 11-3
Objective 11-3
Purpose 11-3
Instructions 11-3
System Verification Checklist 11-4
Mechanical and Visual 11-4
Electrical 11-4
Functional 11-4
Diagnostics 11-4
External System Verification 11-5
System Mechanical & Visual 11-5
System Cleaning 11-6
Electrical & Safety 11-7
Transducers 11-8
Hardware Verification 11-10
System Power Supplies and Thermal Conditions Analysis 11-10
System History Analysis 11-11
Diagnostic Verification 11-12
Operational Verification 11-13
System Functionality 11-13
Peripherals 11-15
Functionality Verification 11-16
Image Quality Verification 11-17
User Programs 11-17
Transducer Selection 11-17
2-D Performance 11-17
Wrap Up 11-22
Verification Questions 11-23
Module 11 - Verifying Aspen™ Ultrasound System Acuson Confidential

Revision History

QRC P/N-REV INITIATOR APPROVAL DATE CHANGE

59172 Rev. X3 J. Koeper S. Williams 7/16/99 Incorporate reviewer comments

Beta

A3174 59172 Rev. 1 J. Madarasz S. Williams Dec. 2000 Initial Release

Module 11-2 Aspen Service Training Manual P/N 59172 Rev. 1

Acuson Confidential Overview

OVERVIEW
OBJECTIVE Be able to verify to perform a system verification check on a Aspen
system.

PURPOSE A system verification is performed by an Acuson Customer

Engineer once per year if the system is under warranty or contract.
This procedure is also helpful at any time that it is desired to verify
functionality.

INSTRUCTIONS Perform a quick verification of the lab system.

1 Verify power supply voltages.
2 Verify system functionality using 2-D on a phantom, and PW and
Color Doppler imaging the carotid artery.
3 Run the transmit test.
4 Start the System Verification suite from Manual Diagnostics.
5 Put the system together and check for any mechanical problems or
missing parts.
6 Make note of any concerns and provide this information to the
instructor.

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Module 11 - Verifying Aspen™ Ultrasound System Acuson Confidential

SYSTEM VERIFICATION CHECKLIST

MECHANICAL AND • Check for cosmetic defects, missing parts/screws, etc.

VISUAL • Verify monitor brightness, contrast, tilt and swivel.
• Check wheels and brakes.
• Clean the system, User Interface, and air filters.

ELECTRICAL • Check leakage current.

• Verify power cord integrity and connection.
• Check peripherals connections (no violations to isolation).
• Test Power Supply voltages.
• Verify down lighting and keyboard lights.

FUNCTIONAL
Transducers • Verify all transducers used or at least linear and vector.
• Verify all ports.
• Test TEE thermal sense operation.
2-D Modality • Use Phantom and RES to check for channel failures.
• Use Phantom to verify lateral and axial resolution of pins.
• Adjust Dynamic Range and notice noise change in cysts.
Doppler • Image carotid artery to verify PW, Color, and Audio.
AEGIS • Start exam; verify Static and Dynamic clip capture and review.
• Use MO and exam utilities to verify storage to MO and Hard
disk.
Miscellaneous • Verify functionality of M-mode, CW Doppler and ECG/Physio.
• Backup user programs to hard-copy or VCR tape.
• Test battery voltage on SVC.
• Save copy of BBM to laptop (if available).
• Verify all Peripherals. Use Diagnostic Test Patterns as desired.

DIAGNOSTICS • View System Error Message Log in the Engineering menu.

• View and clear Power on and Diagnostic Error Logs.
• Transmit Test.
• Run System Verification Suite or Noninteractive Suite.

Module 11-4 Aspen Service Training Manual P/N 59172 Rev. 1

Acuson Confidential External System Verification

EXTERNAL SYSTEM VERIFICATION

SYSTEM 1 Verify system mechanical integrity and cosmetics.
MECHANICAL & • Ensure that the system and all peripherals are powered off and
VISUAL all power cords are unplugged from the wall socket(s).
• Check the system’s external panels or mechanics for noticeable
abrasions, dents or scratches. Replace panels if necessary.
• Visually check the monitor face for scratches or cracks. Replace
the monitor if required.
• Check the monitor tilt/swivel mechanism. Ensure that the
monitor is secure and that its position can be locked and
released. Ensure that the monitor moves freely when not locked
into position. Correct as necessary.
2 Verify the mechanical integrity of all power cords, cables and
connectors on the installation.
• Examine all installation power cords and all installation signal
interconnecting cables and connectors. Ensure that:
• The connectors are not physically damaged or incomplete.
• The cables are not cut or chafed.
• The cables extend completely to the connector retaining
device and are properly strain-relieved.
• The strain relief devices are correctly mounted and secure.
3 Verify the mechanical integrity, physical operation and cleanliness
of all system controls.
Verify that the following groups of controls (where applicable) are
complete and undamaged, operate freely and correctly and are not
clogged with debris or gel.
• Keyboard and UI controls
• Monitor controls
• ECG controls
4 Verify transducer holders and inserts.
• If the MP option is installed, ensure that the MP transducer port
secondary barrier doors operate freely and close completely,
and the caps and bezels are intact. Replace as required.
• Ensure that the transducer storage holders are secure and have
the proper inserts for the transducers installed on the system.
Replace as necessary.
• Ensure that DL and/or MP transducers can be locked into the
transducer parking spots on the DL/MP front panel.

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5 Verify the mechanical operation of all doors and user-accessible

parts.
• Verify that the rear door operates correctly and is secure and
intact. Replace or correct as necessary.
• Verify that the peripheral bay doors are intact and function
properly. Replace as necessary.
• Verify that the front storage door (if installed) is intact and
functions correctly. Replace as necessary.
• If the back door is replaced, ensure that all regulatory labels are
present in their correct locations on the new back door. This
includes: system power ratings, UL, CE and patent labels.

SYSTEM CLEANING

WARNING! Take health precautions when cleaning a system! It may be

contaminated. Always use surgical or plastic gloves. If you receive any
physical injury at all when working in the hospital environment, seek
advice immediately and report the incident to your manager.

1 Clean the air filters, or replace as necessary.

Clean or replace air filters as necessary.
2 Check the ZIP MP connector.
• Open the secondary barrier doors by using a small screwdriver
to release the upper and lower latches, and look inside. If the
ZIP board’s MP connector is dirty, perform the following to
clean the connector contacts.
• Remove the system front trim (or storage drawer, if
installed), front panel, MP port cap and bezel, MP/DL
panel, and the secondary barrier door assembly. Refer to the
figure A7 in the Aspen Ultrasound System Service Manual
for an exploded-view drawing of this area.
• Using a lint-free alcohol wipe, carefully clean the ZIP
board’s MP connector. Examine the connector carefully for
damage. Check, especially, for scratches or broken contacts,
which could result in short circuits between the pins, and for
debris which could result in poor connections.
• Re-install the secondary barrier door assembly, MP/DL
panel, MP port cap and bezel, front panel, and system front
trim (or storage drawer, if installed).
• Verify that an MP and DL transducer can be inserted and
removed easily at each port.

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Acuson Confidential External System Verification

3 Clean the system.

Using a damp cloth and a mild soap solution, or a foam-type inert
anti-static cleaner, carefully clean the exterior of the system. Take
particular care with the following, and do not allow fluid to run into
the system through control or other openings.
• Monitor screen
• System keyboard and controls
• Covers and side panels
4 Clean all transducers, cables, and connectors.

WARNING! Transducers must be sterilized or disinfected before handling.

• Using a damp cloth and a mild soap solution, or a foam-type

inert anti-static cleaner, carefully clean the transducer cables
and the exterior of the connectors. Take care not to contaminate
the transducer or MP connector plate.
• Examine the transducer housing and connectors for physical
damage.
• Using a lint-free cloth and a mild soap solution, carefully clean
the transducer face.
• Using a lint-free alcohol wipe, carefully clean the transducer
MP connector to remove dirt or debris.

ELECTRICAL & 1 Verify all safety and regulatory compliance labels.

SAFETY Make sure all required labeling is present in the correct locations.
This includes: system power ratings, UL, CE and patent labels.
2 Verify wheel and brake operation.
• Check the system brakes for correct operation. Correct, adjust
or replace as required.
• Check the system wheels. Ensure that they rotate freely and do
not bind or interfere with mechanical parts. Replace as
necessary.
3 Verify peripheral support device safety.
• Check that any peripheral support device or cart is correctly
installed.
4 Verify that all AC power connections are secure and correctly
installed.
• Check the AC wall outlet socket for damage.

WARNING! - If damage to the socket is apparent, bring this to the attention of the
customer for correction.
- If the socket is damaged such that it may result in loss of ground
connection or could cause damage to the system, inform the
customer before completing any further work, and request that the
fault be corrected.

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5 Verify that peripheral equipment that are not approved under UL

544, UL 2601-1 or IEC 601-1 is connected to isolated power or an
external medical-grade isolation transformer.
6 Verify Line Voltage.
• Using a DVM set to the AC voltage scale, measure the AC
power line voltage at the wall outlet, and at the Main Power
Supply AC input (J19).
7 Ensure that at both locations the line voltage is between 90 and 127
VAC for 115V systems, or 207-253 VAC for 220/230V systems.

If the measurement at the wall outlet it is outside the specified

range, bring this to the attention of the customer so that it can be
corrected.

If the measurement at the Main Power Supply AC input is outside

the specified range, but the wall outlet is within range, replace the
Isolation Transformer Box and the AC Box in turn to isolate and
correct the problem.

NOTE: Line voltage outside these limits can adversely affect system
performance and reliability.

8 Verify system fan operation.

• Remove covers as necessary to verify all fans.
• Plug the system power cord into the wall outlet.
• Power on the system.
• Verify that the system fans start at High RPM and then go to a
lower RPM.
• Verify that all fans are spinning: 3 Scanner fans, 2 Scan
Converter fans, 1 Disk Box fan and 1 Programmable Power
Supply fan.
• Power off the system.
• Re-install covers removed for this step.

TRANSDUCERS Perform the checks below for each site transducer.

1 Check transducers for physical damage.
• Examine the transducer housing and connectors for physical
damage (fractures, dents, bent connector pins or deep
scratches).
• Examine the transducer cables for damage, such as cuts.
• If any damage is found, a transducer leakage test should be
performed.
• Inspect the face for physical damage (scratches or fractures).
Check carefully for damage which could result in increased
leakage current.
• Replace the transducer as necessary.

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Acuson Confidential External System Verification

2 Verify that all ports operate correctly.

• Connect a transducer to each port and verify that the
transducer is recognized correctly by the system.
• Verify that all ports can be selected and provide the appropriate
image format on screen and the appropriate information in the
Data field.

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HARDWARE VERIFICATION
SYSTEM POWER 1 Verify the power supplies and system operating temperature.
SUPPLIES AND For full information, refer to the Diagnostic Module.
THERMAL • At the Manufacturing Menu of Diagnostics,
CONDITIONS
• Select Utilities
ANALYSIS
• Select Power Supply Measurement
• Verify that all voltages and temperatures are within the
following limits.

DC SOURCE (VOLTS) TOLERANCE ACCEPTABLE RANGE (VOLTS)

Scn Cvtr +5 +/- 2% 4.9 to 5.1

Scn Cvtr +12 +/- 2% 11.76 to 12.24

Scn Cvtr -12 +/- 2% -11.76 to - 12.24

Scn Cvtr Temp n/a not to exceed 55oC

Scanner +5 Dig. +/- 2% 4.9 to 5.1

Scanner +5 Ana. +/- 2% 4.9 to 5.1

Scanner +7.5 +/- 2% 7.35 to 7.65

Scanner -7.5 +/- 2% -7.35 to -7.65

Scanner +15 +/- 2% 14.7 to 15.3

Scanner -15 +/- 2% -14.7 to -15.3

Scanner PPS n/a 29.9 (typical when measured

here)

Scanner +50 n/a 0.0 (not used)

Scanner -120 n/a 0.0 (not used)

Scanner 300 +/- 3% 291 to 309

Scanner Temp n/a not to exceed 55oC

System 120AC/ n/a This displayed measurement is

usually erroneously low. Refer
System 220AC
to line voltage measurement.

System TempMx n/a not to exceed 55oC

System FanV+ n/a 8 to 16 (variable, based on temp.)

System 12Perip. +/- 5% 11.4 to 12.6

Reference Gnd n/a 0.00

Reference +4Ref +/- 2% 3.92 to 4.08

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Acuson Confidential Hardware Verification

2 Verify the SCV2 BBM battery.

NOTE: Ensure that you have a valid copy of user parameters and setup
information before replacing the battery.

• Measure battery voltage at J1 on the SVC2. Pin 1 is (+) and pin 3

is (-). Verify that the battery voltage is between 2.8V to 3.6V.
• If it is not, replace the battery and restore user information to
the system. Be sure to use an insulated tool for removing and
inserting the battery. Additionally, ensure that the tongue (+
terminal contactor) makes good contact, by bending it towards
the holder before replacing the battery.
SYSTEM HISTORY Review the System Logs for errors. For more information, see the
ANALYSIS Diagnostic module.
1 Before reviewing the System Logs,
• Review your notes from interviewing the customer.
• Define any reported failures so that you can correlate results
with the logs and any subsequent Diagnostic findings.
• If problems are found which will require further investigation,
be prepared to capture the logs to send to the HelpDesk for
investigation. Make hard copies of the Error log, Error
Keystroke log and Diagnostic logs or if these files are available
on the hard disk, copy them onto MO disk using the
Engineering menu utility.
2 Access the Logs.
In the Manufacturing Menu of Diagnostics, select Logs.
Select and review the logs as described in 4.5.2 through 4.5.4.
3 Review the Error Message Log.
• Note any system error or failure messages, including any date/
time stamp.
• Ensure that they are not the result of previous work carried out,
or that the failures have not already been corrected in a
previous site visit.
• Record any problems for troubleshooting and correlation with
reported problems or customer complaints.
4 Review the Power On Log.
• Note any diagnostic failure messages, including any date/time
stamp.
• Ensure that they are not the result of previous work carried out,
or that the failures have not already been corrected in a
previous site visit.
• Record any problems for troubleshooting and correlation with
reported or problems or customer complaints.
• If any failures are reported, ensure that you repeat the tests
during Diagnostic Verification.

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DIAGNOSTIC Verify system Diagnostics. For more information, refer to the

VERIFICATION Diagnostic Module.

NOTE: Do not clean the keyboard when diagnostics are running, to avoid
accidentally interrupting the tests or hanging the system.

1 Run the System Verification Tests Suite (or the NI suite if you have
more time.) This takes approximately 30 minutes.
2 At completion of the test suite, type STAT [RETURN] to report any
failures.
If a diagnostic test fails when run from a test suite, run the failing
test from Manual Diagnostics. If the test passes when run from
Manual diagnostics, ignore the original failure from the test suite.
Always assume a diagnostic failure is real unless:
• Manual Diagnostics proves otherwise.
• The failing test is shown in a known false failure list for that
Aspen system release level.
• You’ve verified with the Help Desk or that it is a known false
failure.
• If there are any failures, note and correlate them with any
reports made by the customer or entries in the system logs.
• Troubleshoot any failures and correct before proceeding.
• Ensure that you complete FSR and FRR details and return
diagnostic failure information with any replaced FRU.

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Acuson Confidential Operational Verification

OPERATIONAL VERIFICATION
SYSTEM 1 Verify the transmitters.
FUNCTIONALITY • Follow the instructions from the Diagnostic Module for running
the Transmitter Test.
2 Verify that the switch indicators illuminate correctly.
• Press all buttons on the User Interface which have an LED, and
ensure that the LED illuminates as expected.
• Replace the complete UI assembly or UIP as necessary.
3 Verify the system panel lights.
• Visually inspect the keyboard downlights located in the disk
box underneath the system monitor (qty 5) and ensure that they
are illuminated. Replace keyboard downlights as necessary.
• Visually inspect the transducer port downlights immediately
above the connectors (qty 5). Ensure that they are illuminated.
Replace transducer port downlights as necessary.
4 Verify the system switches and controls using the keyboard test.
• Select Keyboard Functionality Check from the Diagnostics
Utilities menu.
• The screen will display a representation of the keyboard.
• Push, rotate and slide all UI/keyboard keys and ensure that the
display changes appropriately.
• Press CODE+C to return to the main menu.
• Perform appropriate repairs if any controls or keys are
inoperative.
5 Verify the system monitor.

NOTE: Image processing for B-Mode and Color is optimized when the monitor
is set to the calibrated contrast and brightness positions (knobs out).
Additionally, general video levels to peripherals are set so that the
closest match between peripherals and the system monitor display
occurs in this mode. You should inform and encourage the customer to
use the preset positions.

• Verify that the controls operate correctly.

• Check that the Brightness and Contrast knobs rotate correctly
and adjust the monitor display accordingly.
• Verify that the calibrated (knobs pulled out) position does not
allow adjustment of the Contrast and Brightness.
• Degauss the Monitor by depressing the Degauss (rear) knob.
• Check for mask integrity and convergence.

NOTE: After viewing a test pattern, press CODE+C to return to the menu.

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Module 11 - Verifying Aspen™ Ultrasound System Acuson Confidential

• From the Manufacturing Menu of Diagnostics, highlight Video

Test Patterns.
• Select 100% Red Flat Field. Carefully examine the screen for
holes or colors other than red on the monitor.
• Repeat for Green and Blue.
• To check convergence, select GBR Crosshatch and examine
the monitor, in the center and all four corner regions, for
excessive misalignment of the crosshatch lines. It is normal to
have some minor misalignment in the corner regions.
• Replace the monitor if required.
6 Verify TEE thermal sense operation if possible.
7 Verify Imaging In All Modalities
Transducer For each site transducer, verify the following:
verification • Use the Service-specified Tissue-Mimicking Phantom, or
equivalent, and check the near field in 2-D imaging.
• Look for dropout and lines in the image near the transducer
face. Use RES® Enhanced resolution imaging where required,
to examine the near field closely.
• If any dropout is found, troubleshoot the system or replace the
transducer as necessary.
System For each transducer, using an appropriate application, image
verification yourself in the following modalities, as appropriate to the system
configuration, and verify the following performance:
• B-Mode (2-D) imaging, at all selectable frequencies:
• The image is smooth, with no obvious aberrations or
dropout.
• There is no RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) or other type
of interference signal in the ultrasound image area.
• The area outside the ultrasound image has no random or
unrelated graphics displayed.
• Verify calipers and measurements.
• PW Doppler:
• The spectral signal is clean, with no frequency or noise
artifacts.
• The audio is clean and free from distortion and extraneous
signals.
• Calipers can be selected and appropriate measurements
taken.

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Acuson Confidential Operational Verification

• CW Doppler:
• The spectral signal is clean with no frequency or noise
artifacts.
• The audio is clean and free from distortion and extraneous
signals.
• Calipers can be selected and appropriate measurements
taken.
• Aux. CW Doppler:
• The spectral signal is clean with no frequency or noise
artifacts.
• The audio is clean and free from distortion and extraneous
signals.
• Calipers can be selected and appropriate measurements
taken.
• CDI:
• Color is clean and free from dropout.
• Vessel fill-in is good, without excessive holes.
• No random or coherent color spikes are seen (color/noise
spikes).
• Calipers can be selected and appropriate measurements taken.
8 Verify the ECG module (Cardiac or Shared Service systems only).
Using an ECG simulator, or by hookup to yourself, verify that a
clean ECG waveform can be acquired and displayed on the system.

NOTE: The connectors are marked RA (Right Arm), RL (Right Leg) and LA
(Left Arm). You may connect them as specified, or onto your chest/
abdomen in the same general orientation.

9 Verify AEGIS system static and dynamic capture and review to the
hard disk and MO disk.
• Insert an MO disk into the disk drive.
• Press the Begin/End key to create a study.
• Capture a static image and dynamic clip in 2-D, CDI Color
Doppler Imaging, and Doppler modalities.
• Press the Begin/End key to end the study.
• Press the Study Util key, and recall/review the study from the
hard disk, and then from the MO disk.

PERIPHERALS 1 Perform any recommended planned maintenance on the

peripherals.
Planned maintenance (cleaning and verification) on Acuson-
supplied or contracted peripherals is detailed in the appropriate
manufacturer’s service or user’s manual.

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Module 11 - Verifying Aspen™ Ultrasound System Acuson Confidential

2 Verify peripherals and interfacing.

• Select Print, Record, Run or Store as required for each
appropriate peripheral.
• Ensure that frozen or dynamic images generated by the Aspen
system can be correctly recorded on the peripherals, and where
applicable, replayed through the system.
• Verify the quality of recorded and replayed images is
appropriate to that peripheral.

FUNCTIONALITY AEGIS built-in digital image and data management system is an

VERIFICATION important part of DIMAQ™ integrated ultrasound workstation. It
allows static and dynamic image acquisition.
1 Check Single Image Acquisition
• Press IMAGE STORE to acquire a single B/W image. Press
REVIEW to see the image stored.
• Check if the Aspen system is able to store and review images.
Observe the review image for any deterioration in image
quality
• Repeat steps 1 & 2 for a Color Image.
• Check whether you are able to do measurements on the
acquired image.
• Check whether you can review in 1/1 and 4/1 format.
2 Check Clip Captures
• Press CLIP STORE to acquire dynamic images. Press REVIEW
to see the clip stored.
• Check if the Aspen system is able to store and review clips.
Observe the review images for any deterioration in image
quality
3 Check MO storage
• Insert MO in the MO drive
• Enter Patient data in the Begin page
• Hit Exam Utilities to eject MO
• Reinsert MO and recall exams using Exam Utilities.

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Acuson Confidential Image Quality Verification

IMAGE QUALITY VERIFICATION

USER PROGRAMS Select appropriate application program for the tests as required.
The Aspen system contains a variety of application specific
programs or applications. It is vitally important that the system is
optimized for the specific test performed by selecting the correct
application.
• For Image Quality assessment on 2-D, always select a linear
Post processing curve.
• Select Carotid or Renal applications for testing Color or Spectral
doppler as required.
• Set the Xmit power to maximum
• Adjust all the gain controls to match the brightness of the
speckles throughout the image

TRANSDUCER
SELECTION
◆ To Check the ability of the system to recognize all available
transducers
1 Insert the transducer connector into one of the three active
transducer ports on the front Panel of the system and rotate the
locking knob clockwise to lock the transducer in place.
2 Press the softkey corresponding to the transducer you want to
check.
3 Press the MULTIHERTZ® toggle up or down to change the imaging
frequency available to you on the transducer by your system
4 Select modalities from User interface to check available modes for
each transducer
5 Repeat the procedure for all available transducers.
2-D PERFORMANCE Since the invention of modern Ultrasound equipment,
measurement techniques have changed very little. Typical tests
involve measurements using external reference such as a tissue
equivalent test phantom.
We also know that the characteristics of the Phantoms vary with
time and is dependent on several factors. Hence the use of
phantoms is best only as a compromise between need for
consistency and the near representation of human anatomy and
pathology.
The following tests provide practical Image Quality checks on 2-D
image.
The test phantom used here is the RMI 403 GS.

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This phantom contains nylon wires for testing resolution, small

cyst-like objects and the attenuation coefficient is 0.5 db (0.7db
Models are also available.)

Dead Zone Group

4 0.1 mm Nylon Pins
30mm spacing
Low Scatter Cysts
6
depth in cm

10
Axial Resolution Group

12

14

16

18
Figure 11-1 The RMI 403 Test Phantom
Channel failures The following test is recommended for initial diagnosis of any
channel failures or drop outs. This test is also valid for testing a
transducer for delamination.
◆ To test channel related failures
• Scan a tissue equivalent test phantom and slide the transducer
along the surface of the phantom and watch the image for any
dark vertical bands below the skin line which move relative to
the detail in the phantom i.e. they are static with respect to the
screen.
• The above mentioned test can be confirmed by complementing
it with Diagnostic tests e.g.
• Transmit Chain Test/ Transmit Delay Test
• Receive-Apodization Test
• Mixer Clock Test
For details of these diagnostic tests refer to the Diagnostic Tools
Module.

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Acuson Confidential Image Quality Verification

Figure 11-2 Channel Failure Example

Image Uniformity Image uniformity means maintaining optimal detail and contrast
resolution throughout the field of view. It is one of the most
complex and difficult parameter to implement.
◆ To test the Image uniformity
1 Scan a Test Phantom and observe the speckle pattern along the field
of view. Look out for any abnormalities i.e. an artifact or EMI noise.
2 Alternatively, scan a test Phantom and measure the Axial and
Lateral dimensions of the pins at different depths. Making sure that
the image is optimized for each pin.

Figure 11-3 Image Uniformity Example

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Detail Resolution
The Detail or Spatial resolution is the ability of the ultrasound
system, to discriminate between two closely spaced objects and is
specified as the distance in mm. at which two discrete objects can be
differentiated. The resolution figures are commonly measured at
the focal point and represent best attainable values. Resolution in
the axial and lateral dimensions are usually specified
independently.

Axial

Lateral

Figure 11-4 The Two Planes of Resolution

Axial resolution Axial resolution is the ability of an ultrasound system to resolve
two closely-spaced objects along the axis of the beam. It is
dependent on wavelength and transmit pulse wavelength, and
affects image quality and information.
Lateral resolution Lateral resolution is the ability of an ultrasound system to resolve
closely-spaced structures at the same depth. It is dependent on
beam width as determined by the transducer active aperture, depth,
and focusing.
◆ To test spatial resolution
1 Scan a Tissue Equivalent Phantom and measure the Axial and
Lateral dimensions of the line target at different frequencies.
2 Alternatively scan Tissue Equivalent Phantom and RES on the
Resolution Pin Sets at different depths and observe if you can
resolve all the pins.

Not Resolved Just Resolved Completely Resolved

Figure 11-5 The Rayleigh Criterion for Resolution

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Acuson Confidential Image Quality Verification

Dynamic Range Cysts are fluid filled structures that are anechoic and usually
weakly attenuating. Its acoustic image has a distinctive pattern that
should represent the size, shape, and the consistency of the cyst.
This is also a good way of observing signal-to-noise ratio.
◆ To check Dynamic Range
1 Scan the bottom set of cysts in a test phantom and increase
DYNAMIC RANGE key.
2 Note the value of dynamic range when the noise floor is seen.
3 Look out for excessive noise within the cysts as dynamic range is
increased.

Figure 11-6 Cyst Sets in the Phantom

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WRAP UP
1 Verify that, for the system and peripherals:
• All panels and covers have been replaced correctly.
• Cables and installation wiring are clean and tidy and connected
correctly.
• Peripherals, transducers and other equipment are situated as
the customer wishes.
• All debris and tools are removed from the installation area.
2 Verify that the system boots correctly.
• Power on the system and ensure that it boots to imaging and
that the fans are running at low RPM.
3 Instruct the customer of maintenance performed.

Module 11-22 Aspen Service Training Manual P/N 59172 Rev. 1

Acuson Confidential Verification Questions

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS
1 Which logs should be checked at every system verification?

2 What is the recommended way to verify lateral and axial

resolution?

3 Which two diagnostic tests should be run during a verification?

4 During Verification, would a linear or vector probe be preferred to

scan on a phantom?

P/N 59172 Rev. 1 Aspen Service Training Manual Module 11- 23

Module 11 - Verifying Aspen™ Ultrasound System Acuson Confidential

Module 11-24 Aspen Service Training Manual P/N 59172 Rev. 1