ECO 3 EXPERT Ultrasound Diagnostic System
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continuous scanning.
Do not use endo-cavitary probes if there is noticeable self heating of the probe when operating
in the air. Although applicable to any probe, take particular care during trans- vaginal exams during
the first eight weeks of gestation.
Take particular care to reduce output and minimize exposure time of an embryo or fetus when
the temperature of the mother is already elevated.
Take particular care to reduce the risk of thermal hazard during diagnostic ultrasound when
exposing: an embryo less than eight weeks after gestation; or the head, brain or spine of any fetus
or neonate.
Operators should continually monitor the on-screen thermal index (TI) and mechanical index
(MI) values and use control settings that keep these settings as low as possible while still
achieving diagnostically useful results. In obstetric examinations, TIS (soft tissue thermal index)
should be monitored during scans carried out in the first eight weeks after gestation, and TIB
(bone thermal index) thereafter. In applications where the probe is very close to bone (e.g.
trans-cranial applications), TIC (cranial bone thermal index) should be monitored.
MI> 0.3 there is a possibility of minor damage to neonatal lung or intestine. If such exposure is
necessary, reduce the exposure time as much as possible.
MI> 0.7 there is a risk of cavitations if an ultrasound contrast agent containing gas micro-spheres
is being used. There is a theoretical risk of cavitations 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
Table 2-2 below as a reference:
Maximum exposure
time (minutes)
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