Quality control in ultrasound: an experiment to assess the obsolescence of ultrasound probes with an agar gel phantom

Abstract

The ultrasound scanner is the most installed equipment in the operating realities but it is not part of precise quality control programs like all other radiological equipment. Considering how many examinations are carried out, it seemed essential to set up intuitive and repeatable QCs, using instruments with low economic impact. The objectives were to test low-cost handmade phantoms to assess the uniformity and sensitivity of the ultrasound probes and the global status of the ultrasound scanners, confirm the goodness of the phantom in terms of use, functionality and storage, then compare the data collected between QC and the global status of the equipment looking for obsolescence causes. 25 linear geometry probes and 19 ultrasound scanners in 10 operating realities undergo quality control. A phantom in 5% agar-agar and a set of specially designed modules are created to do this. The probes studied showed drops in uniformity and sensitivity after 3 years with an average of 30 examinations and about 10h of poweron per day. In terms of uniformity, 65% of the probes did not reach acceptability. Poor hygiene was detected in 74% of the ultrasound scanners. The phantom used was homogeneous and isoecogen in almost all applications according to the professionals.