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Part II: Z6Ms Understanding the Transducer

This tutorial will help you identify the transducer components, describe the single crystal, matrix design, recognize the risks involved in transducer overheating, explain how the Z6Ms tip design prevents overheating and hotspots, and identify the location and function of the primary system controls used with a 4D acquisition.

Part II ♥ Understanding the Z6Ms Transducer   Select ► to continue Identify the user interface components of the transducer Describe the transducer’s single crystal, matrix design   Recognize the risks involved in transducer overheating Explain how the Z6Ms tip design prevents overheating and hotspots Identify the location and function of the primary system controls utilized in 4D acquisition Select ◄ to go back   Select ► to continue Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: In preparation for learning 4D acquisition and display techniques, we start by becoming familiar with the transducer itself. The handle contains the rotary flex controls which operate flexion, the friction brakes and programmable smart controls. Extending from the handle is the flexible shaft with depth markings. At the end of the shaft is the articulating section which houses the imaging tip. Let’s start with the handle. It contains all the controls to operate the transducer. There are two rotary control dials that operate the flexion motion of the articulating section.                           Just below the rotary flex controls are the friction brakes which lock the flex controls and keep the imaging tip from moving.  You can lock either anterior posterior or right left movement, or both as needed.  To lock either control, press the raised portion of the button. To unlock, press the flat portion.  The color coded friction brakes match the flex control with which they correspond. In line with the friction brakes are the programmable smart controls.  These controls have user assigned functionality consistent with controls available on the control panel such as clip store or freeze and unfreeze.     → → → → → Extending off the handle is the flexible shaft. The depth markers, spaced at half centimeter intervals, indicate how far down the patient’s esophagus the transducer descends.   The articulating section is at the end of the shaft which contains the distal imaging tip or scan head.   Note that the articulating section of the Z6Ms transducer is slightly different from other transesophageal transducers. The point of flexion on the Z6Ms is more proximal to the handle than other transesophageal transducers. This is a key point to keep in mind as you are positioning the transducer in the patient as well as post procedure for cleaning and sterilization. We will cover the latter topic later in this course.   Select ► to continue Imaging Tip Point of Flexion Select ◄ to go back   The larger rotary flex control operates the anterior/posterior deflection or anteflexion and retroflexion. To anteflex the imaging tip, rotate the control toward the ‘A’ marking. The tip moves anteriorly. To retroflex the imaging tip, rotate the control toward the ‘P’ marking and the tip moves posteriorly. The smaller rotary flex control operates the right/left deflection. To deflect the imaging tip to the right, rotate the control toward the ‘R’ marking. To deflect to the left, rotate the control toward the ‘L’ marking. To position the tip in a neutral position, rotate both flex controls so ‘N’ aligns with the reference line on the transducer handle. • • ⇒ → → To program the function of each control, access 'Sys Config' from the keyboard and use the trackball to click on the Z6Ms Smart Controls. There are four columns of options, two for the right-sided controls and two for the left-sided controls. A total of four options may be programmed. Available programmable options are clip store, image store, Bi-Plane+, depth, TEQTM ultrasound technology, color, 4D, CW, PW, Freeze, Rotate, Tilt. Assigning these functions to the smart controls allows the user to bypass the control panel. Proficiency in 4D acquisition results from a combination of familiarity with the transducer itself, accompanied by competency with the control panel knobology.   Now that you have an understanding of the transducer controls and features, let’s familiarize ourselves with the control panel layout and functions. The control panel consists of four regions:  2D and 4D Imaging Controls Doppler Controls Home base with Soft Keys LCD Panel Controls   Click on the icons below to learn more about the ACUSON SC2000™ volume imaging ultrasound system.     ACUSON SC2000 System Control Panel Left Learn about the ACUSON SC2000 left side controls. Base ImageHotspotsText BlocksImage FilePress the 4D control to enter 4D imaging. Rotate the control to adjust the overall gain.Bi-Plane+ is a 4D imaging feature allowing manipulation of a volume with rotation and tilt features.Dual is a 2D imaging feature that compares two images side-by-side in real time.Press the 2D control to enter 2D imaging. Rotate the control to adjust the overall gain. ACUSON SC2000 System Control Panel Right Learn about the ACUSON SC2000 right side controls. Base ImageHotspotsText BlocksImage FileActivate Pulsed Wave (PW) by pressing the control. Rotate to adjust the gain. Also serves as the Y axis control in volume manipulation.Activate Color (C) by pressing the control. Rotate to adjust the gain. Also serves as the X axis control in volume manipulation.Activate Continuous Wave (CW) by pressing the control. Rotate to adjust the gain. Also serves as the Z axis control in volume manipulation.Rotate the 0/60º control to adjust the transducer angle in one degree increments. Press the control to cycle through -60 degrees, zero degrees and 60 degrees.Rotate the control to adjust the Depth. Toggle up to increase Scale or raise Baseline. Toggle down to decrease Scale or lower Baseline.The U2 button also serves as the mitral valve button to quickly orient the 4D mitral valve volume to the Surgeon's View. This feature is covered in more detail later in the course. ACUSON SC2000 System Control Panel Home Learn about the ACUSON SC2000 home base controls. Base ImageHotspotsText BlocksImage FileRES™ enhanced resolution imaging is a write zoom feature which enlarges a selected region by adding pixels, maintaining resolution.Use the Clip Store to capture moving images. Use Image Store to capture static images. Soft keys are located just above and on either side of the trackball. Function varies depending on the active mode which displays on the bottom of the screen. The priority button allows the user to toggle between active modes. For example, if color is active, pressing priority will activate the controls for 2D without removing color.   Soft keys are located just above and on either side of the trackball. Function varies depending on the active mode which displays on the bottom of the screen.On either side of the trackball, the mouse keys perform the right and left mouse click functions.On either side of the trackball, the mouse keys perform the right and left mouse click functions. ACUSON SC2000 System Control Panel LCD Learn about the ACUSON SC2000 LCD display and controls. Base ImageHotspotsText BlocksImage FilePress to toggle between Tilt and Edge functions in Bi-Plane+ mode. Rotate the Tilt control to operate the Lateral Tilt.Press to toggle between Quick Rotate and SpaceTime™ resolution control. Rotate SpaceTime control to adjust between spatial and temporal resolution settings. Rotate Quick Rotate to adjust transducer angle in one degree increments. Tip ⇒ Use Quick Rotate in conjunction with the 0/60º control.LCD screen displays functionality of each control depending on active mode. Congratulations. You have completed Lecture 2 of the Z6Ms Advanced online training course. Listed below are the key points that have been presented. Take time to review the material and click on the icon below to practice what you've learned before you proceed to the final quiz. Download and print a copy of the Course Review.   Identify the user interface components of the transducer •Smart controls are programmed in the System Configuration menu •Assigning functions to the Smart Controls bypasses the Control Panel •The large rotary control on the transducer operates ante flexion and retro flexion •The small rotary control on the transducer operates right and left deflection •Friction brakes allow the user to lock either or both rotary controls to limit movement of the articulating tip Describe the transducer’s single crystal, matrix design •Volumetric image created by utilizing a 48 x 48 matrix array with a total of 2,304 elements •Acoustic array and window engineered for high efficiency and low power loss in the electro/mechanical conversion •The point of flexion on the Z6Ms transducer is slightly different that other TEE transducers Recognize the risks involved in transducer overheating •The Cool Down State activates at 42.5 degrees. •The Cool Down State reduces power consumption and thus frame or volume rate by half •Images may still be acquired in Cool Down State but may not be clinically useful Explain how the Z6Ms tip design prevents overheating and hotspots •Internal heat sink pulls heat away from the array and electronic components •The acoustic window on the transducer face uses a thermally insulating yet acoustically conductive material to avoid hotspots •Thermal sensor at the distal tip detects scanning array  temperature •The tip’s metal enclosure and shaft braid form an electromagnetic shield reducing interference from electrosurgical instruments Identify the location and function of the primary system controls utilized in 4D acquisition •The Control Panel is divided into four sections •Bi-Plane+ allows manipulation of volume with rotation and tilt features. •LCD Panel displays functionality of the corresponding controls depending on the active mode •Soft key functionality displays on the bottom of the screen display and is dependent on the active mode •Use the RES enhanced resolution imaging format to enlarge an area without sacrificing resolution. •Quick Rotate modifies the scan angle in 30 degree increments •0/60 control can modify the scan angle in one degree increments by rotating and toggles between zero, 60 and -60 degrees by pressing the control •SpaceTime controls the spatial and temporal resolution of the on-screen image ACUSON SC2000, SpaceTime, RES, TEQ are registered trademarks of Siemens Medical Solutions, USA, Inc.   Select ◄ to go back                                                               Select ► to continue Practice what you've learned Learn about the Z6Ms transducer and control panel functions Instructions:Flash File:/content/generator/Course_90017006/interactive_z6ms_Flash/interactive_z6ms_Flash.htmHTML5 File:/content/generator/Course_90017006/interactive_z6ms/interactive_z6ms/index.htmlPDF File: The distal imaging tip creates a volumetric image by utilizing a 48 x 48 matrix array with a total of 2,304 elements. The single crystal material comprising the array elements provides high image quality as compared to PZT (lead zirconate titanate). The transducer also has an acoustic array and acoustic window engineered for high efficiency and low power loss in the electro/mechanical conversion. This maximizes sensitivity and minimizes generation of waste heat. To reduce the number of signal lines between the elements and the system, the transmitters and receive pre-beam former are integrated into the distal tip using ASICs (application specific integrated circuit). This arrangement enables the Z6Ms transducer to generate the desired acoustic fields and leverages the power of the system receive beam former and image former.                                       Select ◄ to go back                                                                                   Select ► to continue Due to varying regulatory requirements, product availability varies from country to country. Some/all of the products and/or features referred to in this module may be available in your country. This course addresses an international audience of healthcare customers and cannot consider all country-specific statistics, guidelines and regulations. It is your responsibility to understand the regulations for your country or regions. Images and graphics used in this tutorial are for educational purposes only. They may have been modified or compressed, and may not reflect the actual image quality of the system Selecting the ► continues this course and you confirm that you have read and understood this disclaimer. The greater the difference between the transducer temperature and patient body temperature allows for more heat transference. Listed below are several features the Z6Ms transducer has to successfully minimize the difference between the transducer temperature and patient body temperature:  A low loss acoustic window, an efficient array, low power electronics and a cool down state lower the heat dissipation. A copper and aluminum distal tip enclosure with an internal heat sink pulls heat away from the array and electronic components. The highly thermally conductive alloy of the braid shaft disperses heat from the tip.  The acoustic window on the transducer face uses a thermally insulating yet acoustically conductive material to avoid hotspots. In the heat concentration image at the top right, notice heat dispersing along the length of the articulating section rather than concentrating at the array. In addition to heat dispersion, the tip’s metal enclosure and shaft braid form an electromagnetic shield reducing interference from electrosurgical instruments. Click here to download an overview of the Z6Ms transducer. Select ◄ to go back                                                                                Select ► to continue   While the difference between transducer temperature and body temperature is generally constant for a specific imaging condition, depending on the patient’s body temperature, the transducer temperature may increase above 42 degrees Celsius. The patient’s physiology or poor contact to the esophagus could also cause the transducer temperature to increase.   The table below demonstrates that if the temperature reaches 43 degrees Celsius, a warning message appears, imaging stops, power to the transducer turns off and the transducer must be disconnected and reconnected to continue scanning.   If the temperature reaches 42.5 degrees Celsius, the cool down state activates, reducing power consumption by only acquiring every other frame. This results in frame rates reducing to half their original rate.    Distal Tip Temperature Sensor  Temperature Limit      System Response 43 degrees Celsius   warning message imaging stops power to transducer turns off disconnect and re-connect transducer to continue imaging 42.5 degrees Celsius cool down state activates power consumption reduced every other frame acquired frame rates reduce to half original rate     With a 50 percent reduction in power in the cool down state, the temperature rise over the patient body temperature also decreases.   For example, if a patient’s body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius, we expect the transducer temperature to be slightly higher at 40.3 degrees Celsius. If body temperature increases to 39.5 degrees Celsius, transducer temperature also increases to 42.8 degrees Celsius which is extremely close to the 43 degree limit.   At this point the system automatically enables the cool down state, decreasing the temperature rise by 50 percent, in turn slowly decreasing the transducer temperature to 41.2 degrees Celsius.   The user may electively disable the cool down state, acquire a few images and then re-enable the cool down state, as the patient situation allows.   The table below summarizes this information.   Cool Down State Summary Patient Body Temperature Transducer Temperature 37 degrees Celsius 40.3 degrees Celsius 39.5 degrees Celsius 42.8 degrees Celsius!! - COOL DOWN STATE ACTIVATES - reduces temperature rise by 50 percent 39.5 degrees Celsius 41.2 degrees Celsius                             The cool down state design is for imaging in critical situations and the frame or volume rate may not be sufficient to confidently assess structure or pathology.                     Select ◄ to go back                                                                                      Select ► to continue  Siemens. (2014).  ACUSON SC2000™ Diagnostic Ultrasound Instructions for Use. Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc: Mountain View, CA.

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