Philips - X7-2T Transducers
Philips X7-2T Transducers Forums
Updated Nov 22 2016
2 Replies
What chemicals/ cleaning products can be used to process disinfect the Philips TEE transducers.
RE: Philips - X7-2T TransducersUpdated Oct 25 2012
3 Replies
the price of new and used philips x7-2t probe in stock?change the probe in to ie33, the system crashed, can u repair it?
RE: Philips - X7-2T TransducersUpdated Feb 10 2011
1 ReplyCan someone help me - what are OEM specifications for angles on this TEE Probe, ie Up/Down/Right/Left? RE: Philips - X7-2T Transducers
Updated Jul 1 2011
1 ReplyComment:
The Philips X7-2t transesophogeal probe is a marvel of engineering, with
about 2500 elements in a matrix array that can produce real-time 3D (also
known as 4D) images of a beating heart on the iE33 ultrasound system. The
X7-2t TEE probes cost $70,000 new in the United States.
It is always important with TEE probes to follow the manufacturer's
recommendations for use of bite guards, visual inspections and electrical
leakage testing. This helps ensure patient safety, with the biggest risks
being cross-contamination and electrical shock. It also will reduce costs,
by finding a bite mark or tear in the bending neck sheath or insertion tube,
or a tear in the scanhead membrane before fluid infiltration causes more
damage to the probe. Because of the design characteristics of the X7-2t, it
is absolutely critical that the probe not be "soaked" internally with the
disinfecting solution or any other fluid.
----> If the X7-2t has fluid infiltration and is connected to the iE33, it
is very likely that the electronics in the distal end of the insertion tube
will be irreparably damaged. The attached technical bulletin is provided to
show and explain why proper care and testing of this TEE probe is so
important.
1. We recommend doing a visual inspection after every TEE examination. This can
be done as part of the wipe down of the probe with a cleaning solution such
as Cavi-wipes. While cleaning the probe before disinfection, as recommended
by all the manufacturers, the probe can be inspected for any damage or wear
that has caused a hole or tear. If any damage is noted, the probe should not
be immersed in the disinfecting fluid, and should be removed from service
and sent for repair immediately. If no damage is seen, the probe should get
an electrical leakage just prior to or at the beginning of the disinfection
cycle.
The User Reference Manual for the iE33 (Rev A) has a lot of information
about TEE probes in Chapter 17, including these statements:
"Scrutinize the entire transducer and test all of the controls before each
use."
"Carefully inspect the entire surface of the distal tip and flexible shaft
for protrusions, holes, dents, abrasions, cuts, burrs, or cracks that could
be extremely hazardous to both you and your patient."
"CAUTION - All patients should wear a bite guard during a TEE exam. A bite
guard protects against dangerous transducer mechanical and electrical
malfunction caused by involuntary biting. Even anesthetized patients require
bite guards to prevent damage to both their teeth and to the transducer."
By the way, you can pull up the User Reference Manual on the iE33 by
pressing the Help key on the QWERTY keyboard.
2. Replacing the Bending Rubber will only cost you $250.00 at most places. At
least here.
Sometimes there is no fluid intrusion. Using 2 layers helps.
If there is and you want the fluid to just dry up and or stay inside the
probe there is no extra cost. The probe may not work very much longer though
if it is still working at all.
Some people have called the strain relief on the insertion tube the "boot".
That's why I asked.
3. Different model probes have different challenges. In my opinion once there
has been fluid intrusion to the inner workings of the distal end and control
housing the honest way to repair it is to completely disassemble the probe
for cleaning, repair, and proper re-assembly. That is if the array has not
already been damaged permanently. For example Acuson V5M arrays go bad
quickly if they get wet with sterilizing fluids.
I would make sure that if a repair vendor is partially opening up drying out
your probe and then making it look good on the outside that they tell you
that and not call that a refurbed probe. This tactic may get it back in
service but the probe is more likely to have problems sooner than later. I
personally would not want a probe done this way to be used on me or anyone I
know.
If you really want to do it right you remove the array and if necessary
repair the flexible circuits that attach it to the cable.
You then remove the insertion tube and steering cable assembly. Steering
cables corrode quickly also. Insertion tube coatings can delaminate from the
inside out.
If the cable has wicked up enough fluid the wires will eventually begin to
corrode shielding first. Replacing the cable is best when it is like this.
The only way to find out for sure is take it apart and look at it. All this
is very labor and cost intensive.
If the tip case has to be removed for any reason the least it will cost is
$3500.
Full blown refurb on a late model probe is $6500. See the attached word
document for what that entails and to see how far we go to refurb some
Philips models. Make sure your vendor is doing all these things for your big
dollars.
Minor type repairs could be a bent connector pin replacement, or
articulation adjustment. $250 here.
Repair, recoating and renumbering of an insertion tube should be about $1k
and include a new bending rubber.
Element tests, phantom image stills, electrical safety results, and
microscopic digital photographs can help substantiate repair quotes. That's
all free here.
Not all probes are repairable. Unless you are willing to replace absolutely
any part up to and including the entire probe. "Dead" probes can provide
needed parts to repair other probes in not so bad of shape. Other needed
parts have to be purchased or manufactured.
One more thing. If you have a Philips or Acuson pediatric omniplane TEE with
a black cable and its splitting apart all over that can be repaired.
DON'T EXCHANGE IT FOR THAT REASON ONLY! RE: Philips - X7-2T Transducers