The use of therapeutic ultrasound has a long history and is supported by several studies that justify its use in treating tissue injuries, producing effects such as analgesia and stimulation of soft tissue healing. However, for safe application, it is crucial to determine the location of energy deposition. Currently, in clinical practice, the fogging test is used to assess whether the equipment is functioning, but this test does not indicate the quality of transducer operation; it only shows that it is functioning. Moreover, for determining the Effective Radiating Area (ERA), there is a standard norm that is not easily applicable, and for an accurate test, it is necessary to take it to accredited specialized laboratories. Due to this fact, Costa et al. (2015) developed thermochromic test phantoms and an ERA evaluation protocol. Coelho et al. (2017) used the protocol on calibrated and controlled laboratory equipment and identified a linear relationship between the thermal spots on the test phantom and the ERAs calculated according to the standard norm. This study applies this protocol to regularly used clinical devices at College Estácio de Sá. The idea is to perform periodic measurements of the devices to assess their condition given their frequent use. Measurements will be taken on a radiation balance, and thermal spots on the test phantoms and their areas will be compared over time, with one taken as a standard and another after six months of device use.

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Evaluation of Transducers for Therapeutic Ultrasound Equipment – Using Thermocromic Test Phantom

  • G. Torturela,
  • A. M. C. Lopes,
  • R. M. V. R. de Almeida,
  • Wagner C. A. Pereira

摘要

The use of therapeutic ultrasound has a long history and is supported by several studies that justify its use in treating tissue injuries, producing effects such as analgesia and stimulation of soft tissue healing. However, for safe application, it is crucial to determine the location of energy deposition. Currently, in clinical practice, the fogging test is used to assess whether the equipment is functioning, but this test does not indicate the quality of transducer operation; it only shows that it is functioning. Moreover, for determining the Effective Radiating Area (ERA), there is a standard norm that is not easily applicable, and for an accurate test, it is necessary to take it to accredited specialized laboratories. Due to this fact, Costa et al. (2015) developed thermochromic test phantoms and an ERA evaluation protocol. Coelho et al. (2017) used the protocol on calibrated and controlled laboratory equipment and identified a linear relationship between the thermal spots on the test phantom and the ERAs calculated according to the standard norm. This study applies this protocol to regularly used clinical devices at College Estácio de Sá. The idea is to perform periodic measurements of the devices to assess their condition given their frequent use. Measurements will be taken on a radiation balance, and thermal spots on the test phantoms and their areas will be compared over time, with one taken as a standard and another after six months of device use.