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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting poor image quality, artifacts, noise, or degraded visualization caused by probes, settings, connections, or environmental factors.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- If image quality is impacting diagnosis, remove the system from patient use and move to another ultrasound system.
- Expected: Patient care continues without diagnostic risk.
- Why it matters: Poor imaging can lead to misdiagnosis or missed clinical findings.
Verify the Reported Issue
- Confirm the artifact or quality issue.
- Identify type (noise, dropouts, lines, shadowing, distortion).
- Determine if it occurs on all probes or only one.
- Check if it is present across all imaging modes (2D, Doppler, etc.).
- Expected: Issue is consistent and reproducible.
- Why it matters: Helps isolate whether the problem is probe-specific or system-wide.
Check Probe Condition and Selection
- Inspect the active probe.
- Look for cracks, delamination, or fluid intrusion.
- Check cable for kinks or exposed wiring.
- Ensure correct probe is selected in the system.
- Swap with a known-good probe if available.
- Expected: Image improves with alternate probe if original is faulty.
- Why it matters: Probes are the most common cause of image artifacts.
Inspect Probe Connection and Port
- Disconnect and reconnect the probe securely.
- Inspect connector pins for damage or debris.
- Try a different probe port if available.
- Expected: Stable connection with no intermittent signal loss.
- Why it matters: Poor connections can cause signal dropouts or noise.
Check Imaging Settings
- Review and adjust key settings.
- Gain (too high = noise, too low = poor visibility).
- Depth and focus alignment.
- Frequency selection.
- TGC (Time Gain Compensation) sliders.
- Preset selection (correct exam type).
- Reset to default preset if needed.
- Expected: Image clarity improves with proper optimization.
- Why it matters: Incorrect settings can mimic hardware failure.
Evaluate Environmental Interference
- Check for nearby sources of interference.
- Other electrical equipment.
- Mobile devices or wireless transmitters.
- Poor grounding or shared outlets.
- Move the system to another outlet if needed.
- Expected: Reduction in noise or artifact.
- Why it matters: Electrical interference can degrade ultrasound signals.
Perform System Restart
- Power down the system completely and restart.
- Expected: Temporary software-related artifacts may clear.
- Why it matters: Software glitches can affect image processing.
Check System Performance Across Modes
- Test multiple imaging modes.
- 2D imaging.
- Color Doppler.
- M-mode.
- Expected: Issue may appear in specific modes only.
- Why it matters: Helps determine if problem is processing-related vs hardware.
Run Built-In Diagnostics (If Available)
- Access system diagnostics or self-test functions.
- Expected: No probe or system errors reported.
- Why it matters: Confirms whether system detects a hardware fault.
If the Problem Persists
If all probes, settings, and connections have been verified and image quality remains degraded, the issue is likely internal (beamformer, processing board, or probe interface).
Remove the device from service, label it Out of Service, and send for repair or bench evaluation.
Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never attempt to troubleshoot image quality on an active patient. Always move the patient to a functioning system before evaluating the issue.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Ultrasound image shows excessive noise and poor resolution during cardiac exam."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Faulty phased array probe causing signal degradation and artifact."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Replaced probe with known-good unit; image quality restored and system returned to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Probe(s) tested and results
- Ports tested
- Image modes affected
- Settings adjustments performed
- Presence of noise, lines, or dropout
- Any visible probe damage
- Final device status
Final Thought
Image quality issues are most often caused by probes, settings, or connections—not internal failures. A structured, external-first approach ensures safe, efficient troubleshooting while minimizing unnecessary downtime. Always prioritize patient safety and clear documentation.
That is successful troubleshooting.