Evaluation: Philips Healthcare Epiq 7 Premium General-Purpose Ultrasound Scanner
November 16, 2016 | Evaluations & Guidance
Preview
- Diagnostic ultrasound scanners are used to obtain images and other data that are used to assess patient anatomy and physiology. These devices are also used to provide imaging guidance for interventional procedures.
- Premium general-purpose ultrasound scanners are used to obtain high-quality ultrasound data and allow users to perform advanced imaging assessments.
- There are no supplementary uses of these devices.
- The major components of the Epiq 7 and their functions are:
- A console on wheels
- The console contains a computer that controls the ultrasound signal generator, receiver, and processor using Philips's nSight technology.
- Imaging modes and features that are included as standard: Conventional and harmonic B-mode imaging, M-mode, pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler, continuous-wave (CW) Doppler, color Doppler imaging (CDI), power Doppler imaging (PDI), freehand 3-D imaging, panoramic imaging.
- A control module user interface
- Used to select transducers, presets, and imaging modes; adjust image quality; obtain measurements; annotate images; and perform calculations.
- The control module is position-adjustable and has various hard controls, including buttons, slide pods, knobs, and a trackball. A color 30.5 cm (12 in) touchscreen is located above the control panel. The controls available and their location are customizable. An alphanumeric hard keyboard retracts under the control panel when not in use. Handles are used to position the control module during exams and for transport. Transducers, transducer cable hooks, and gel-bottle holders can be attached to the control panel.
- A 54.6 cm (21.5 in) flat-panel video display
- Used to view ultrasound images and other data
- Attached to the scanner on an articulated arm to allow users to position it for optimal viewing during exams
- Five transducer ports
- Used to connect transducers.
- Located on the lower front of the console. Each port for imaging transducers is illuminated to enhance operation in low-light settings. One port is only for CW Doppler transducers.
- Two peripheral bays
- Used to secure peripheral devices such as fusion hardware, a black-and-white printer, a color printer, or a DVD recorder
- Located on top of the system behind the control module and video display
- Storage drawers (22 × 23 × 8 cm 8.5 × 9.0 × 3.0 in)
- Used to store accessories
- One drawer is on each side of the console
- A recess for peripheral devices
- Used to accommodate a thermal printer or other peripheral device
- Located on the left side of the console
- Internal digital storage
- Used to archive acquired data and support software applications.
- Three 1 TB hard drives and a 120 MB solid-state drive (SSD) are located in the console.
- Access ports
- Allow data to be exported for archiving or review and imported for fusion imaging and review.
- The system has five USB ports, an Ethernet port, an S-Video and digital display port, a Digital Navigation Link (DNL), and an audio jack.
- A console on wheels
- Facilities and clinical departments that would use this device:
- Radiology department
- Freestanding imaging facility