On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
This guide assists Clinical Engineering in troubleshooting situations where a Mindray TE Series ultrasound system produces degraded image quality. Common symptoms may include:
- Grainy or noisy images
- Reduced penetration depth
- Streaking or shadow artifacts
- Blurry structures or loss of detail
- Intermittent image distortion
The guide focuses on ruling out common external causes such as probe issues, incorrect imaging settings, and connection problems before assuming internal system failure.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Confirm the Reported Issue
Verify the issue with the clinical user.
- Ask what type of exam was being performed.
- Ask which probe was used.
- Determine if the issue occurs with all probes or only one.
Understanding whether the issue is probe-specific helps isolate the problem quickly.
Inspect the Probe Being Used
Examine the probe carefully.
Check for:
- Cracked housing
- Delaminated lens
- Fluid intrusion
- Damaged or kinked cable
- Excessive wear near the strain relief
Physical damage to the probe can significantly degrade image quality.
Clean the Probe Lens
Residue on the probe can affect imaging.
- Clean the probe lens using approved cleaning wipes.
- Ensure there is no dried gel, residue, or debris on the surface.
Even a thin film of dried gel can reduce image clarity.
Verify Probe Connection
- Disconnect the probe.
- Inspect the connector for bent pins or contamination.
- Reconnect the probe firmly.
A loose or partially connected probe may cause image distortion or signal loss.
Test With a Different Probe
- Connect a known working probe.
- Perform a quick imaging test.
- Compare image quality.
If image quality improves with another probe, the original probe is likely defective.
Check Imaging Settings
Incorrect system settings can mimic hardware problems.
Verify:
- Gain levels
- Depth settings
- Frequency selection
- Dynamic range
- Focus position
Reset the exam preset if necessary to rule out incorrect configuration.
Verify Adequate Ultrasound Gel
Insufficient gel can cause poor acoustic coupling.
- Apply fresh gel.
- Confirm good contact between probe and test surface.
Poor coupling can create shadowing and signal loss.
Perform a System Reboot
Restart the ultrasound system.
- Power down the system properly.
- Wait approximately 30 seconds.
- Restart the unit.
Temporary software glitches may affect image processing.
Perform a Basic Image Test
If available, perform a quick test using:
- A phantom (if available), or
- A simple surface imaging test
This helps confirm whether image degradation persists under controlled conditions.
If the Problem Persists
If image quality degradation continues after performing the checks above, common external causes have likely been ruled out.
The issue may involve internal components such as:
- Beamformer electronics
- Signal processing hardware
- Probe interface circuitry
- Internal cabling
At this point, the device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or further bench evaluation
Recognizing when to stop troubleshooting prevents unnecessary risk and protects patient safety.
Clinical Use Tip
Never attempt to troubleshoot imaging issues while the system is actively being used on a patient.
If the image quality appears questionable:
- Move the patient to another functioning ultrasound system first.
- Troubleshoot the device only after it has been safely removed from clinical use.
Patient safety must always come first.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
“User reported that ultrasound images appeared grainy and lacked normal clarity during abdominal exams.”
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
“Probe cable showed visible damage near the strain relief. Image quality improved when a different probe was connected.”
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
“Defective probe removed from service and sent for repair. System tested with alternate probe and verified normal imaging performance.”
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Probe used during failure
- Whether issue occurred with multiple probes
- Probe connector condition
- Gel application verified
- Imaging presets checked
- System reboot performed
- Physical probe condition
- Final device status
Final Thought
Effective troubleshooting begins with the simplest and most visible causes. Many ultrasound image quality issues are related to probe condition, connection problems, or imaging settings rather than internal system failure. By methodically checking these external factors first, Clinical Engineering can quickly resolve many issues while protecting both equipment and patient safety. When internal failure is suspected, proper escalation and clear documentation ensure the device receives the appropriate repair.
That is successful troubleshooting.