BenQ T3300 - Operator Safety; Infection Control; Disposable Drape

Safety Information
T3300 Diagnostic Ultrasound System | 18 | B00601-010 4/10/17
should be monitored during scans carried out in the first eight weeks after gestation, and TIB
(bone thermal index) thereafter.
– MI> 0.3 Minor damage is likely to happen to neonatal lung or intestine. If such exposure is
necessary, reduce the exposure time as much as possible.
– MI> 0.7 Risk of cavitation exists if an ultrasound contrast agent containing gas microspheres
is being used. There is a theoretical risk of cavitation without the presence of
ultrasound contrast agents. The risk increases with MI values above this threshold.
– TI> 0.7 The overall exposure time of an embryo or fetus should be restricted in accordance
with the following table as a reference.
• Diagnostic ultrasound has the potential for both false positive and false negative results.
Misdiagnosis is far more dangerous than any effect that might result from the ultrasound
exposure. Therefore, diagnostic ultrasound should be performed only by those with sufficient
training and education.
• Non-diagnostic use of ultrasound equipment is not generally recommended. Examples of non-
diagnostic uses of ultrasound equipment include repeated scans for operator training,
equipment demonstration using normal subjects, and the production of souvenir pictures or
videos of a fetus. For equipment of which the safety indices are displayed over their full range of
values, the TI should always be less than 0.5 and the MI should always be less than 0.3. Avoid
frequent repeated exposure of any subject. Scans in the first trimester of pregnancy should not
be carried out for the sole purpose of producing souvenir videos or photographs, nor should their
production involve increasing the exposure levels or extending the scan times beyond those
needed for clinical purposes.
2.7 Operator Safety
The following issues and situations can affect operator safety when you are using an ultrasound
system.
2.7.1 Infection Control
Issues related to infection control affect the operator and the patient. Follow the infection-control
procedures established in your facility for the protection of both the staff and the patient.
2.7.2 Disposable Drape
If you believe contamination of the system might occur during an exam, it is recommended that you
take universal precautions and cover the system with a disposable drape. Consult your facility's
rules regarding equipment use in the presence of infectious disease.
Table 8 Maximum exposure time recommended for an embryo or fetus
TI Maximum exposure time (minutes)
0.7 60
1.0 30
1.5 15
2.0 4
2.5 1