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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots poor ultrasound images, unexpected artifacts, dropout, noise, or inconsistent image quality caused by probes, settings, environment, or connections.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient From Diagnostic Use of Unreliable Images
If image quality could affect interpretation or procedural guidance, do not continue relying on the affected system or probe. Transfer the examination to another verified ultrasound system as needed.
Expected outcome: Diagnostic or procedural decisions are not based on questionable images.
2. Confirm the Exact Image-Quality Complaint
Determine:
- Which probe was used
- Which imaging mode was affected
- Whether the artifact is constant or intermittent
- Whether it appears everywhere on the image or in a specific region
- Whether it changes with probe movement
- Whether it occurs on one probe or multiple probes
- Whether it began after a drop, cleaning event, software restart, or relocation
Capture an example using approved procedures if useful for service documentation.
Expected outcome: The artifact is reproducible and sufficiently characterized for logical isolation.
3. Inspect the Probe
Inspect the affected probe for:
- Damage to the acoustic lens or scanning surface
- Cracks
- Separation
- Swelling
- Discoloration
- Cable cuts or crushing
- Damaged strain relief
- Connector damage
- Evidence of fluid intrusion
Do not use a visibly damaged probe on a patient.
Expected outcome: The probe is externally intact, or a damaged probe is identified and removed from service.
4. Verify the Probe Connection
Reseat the probe using approved handling practices. Ensure the connector is aligned, fully seated, and secured.
Observe whether image quality changes when the connector is correctly reseated.
Expected outcome: Stable connection is restored and no connection-related artifact remains.
5. Check Basic Imaging Controls and Preset
Confirm that the appropriate probe, exam preset, depth, gain, focus, and other normal imaging controls are set reasonably for the test being performed.
Avoid changing protected calibration or service parameters.
If staff report a sudden image-quality change, compare current settings with a known working configuration or another equivalent system when available.
Expected outcome: Poor image quality is not being created by inappropriate user-accessible settings.
6. Check Coupling and Test Conditions
For a controlled nonpatient functional test, confirm appropriate acoustic coupling and consistent test conditions.
Air gaps, inadequate coupling, poor probe contact, and unsuitable test targets can mimic equipment failure.
Expected outcome: The artifact persists or disappears under controlled and repeatable test conditions.
7. Test a Known-Good Compatible Probe
Connect a known-good compatible probe and compare image quality under similar test conditions.
- If the artifact follows the original probe, remove that probe from service.
- If the artifact appears with multiple probes, investigate the system, environment, or configuration further.
Expected outcome: The problem is isolated to the probe or shown to affect the system more broadly.
8. Check for Environmental Electrical Interference
Determine whether the artifact occurs only in a specific room or near recently added equipment.
Where safe and operationally appropriate, compare imaging in another approved location or temporarily separate nonessential nearby electrical equipment from the test environment.
Do not defeat protective grounding or electrical-safety features.
Expected outcome: Environmental interference is either ruled out or identified as contributing to the artifact.
9. Compare Displayed and Stored Images
If appropriate, determine whether the artifact is present in the ultrasound image data itself or only on the local display.
Review a saved test image through an approved workflow or compare with another display path if available.
Expected outcome: The issue is narrowed to acquisition/image data versus display presentation.
10. Perform Final Image Verification
Using an appropriate approved test object or standardized departmental test method:
- Confirm uniform and stable image appearance
- Check that the reported artifact is absent
- Verify the affected probe remains recognized
- Confirm images can be captured and reviewed normally
Do not claim quantitative performance unless the appropriate test and acceptance criteria are available.
Expected outcome: Image quality is restored and stable. Troubleshooting can stop.
11. Escalate Persistent Image-Quality Problems
If the artifact remains with known-good probes under controlled conditions, or if image quality cannot be confidently verified, remove the system from service.
Do not perform board-level acquisition repair or unauthorized calibration.
Expected outcome: The V8 is referred for qualified service before further clinical imaging.
If the Problem Persists
External probe damage, connection problems, imaging settings, coupling, test conditions, and obvious environmental causes have been ruled out. The remaining issue may involve internal acquisition electronics, beamforming, display hardware, software, calibration, or another service-level condition.
The affected Samsung Healthcare V8 or probe should be:
- Removed from service as appropriate
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated with appropriate Samsung Healthcare service documentation and approved ultrasound test equipment
- Repaired or calibrated only by qualified personnel
Return to service only after image quality has been verified using the appropriate technical and departmental acceptance process.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
When an artifact could mimic or obscure anatomy, treat it as a clinical reliability issue rather than merely a cosmetic display problem.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported a persistent dark band in the image when using one probe on the Samsung V8."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering reproduced the artifact with the reported probe and confirmed that a known-good compatible probe produced a normal image on the same system."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the affected probe from service, verified normal image quality with the known-good probe using controlled test conditions, and returned the V8 to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Probe involved
- Imaging mode
- Description and location of artifact
- Whether artifact is constant or intermittent
- Probe and cable condition
- Preset and basic settings observed
- Known-good probe comparison
- Room or environmental dependence
- Saved-image comparison
- Test object or verification method used
- Final image-quality result
Final Thought
Poor image quality should be approached systematically: verify the probe, connection, settings, test conditions, and environment before assuming internal failure. Do not return equipment to service until the reported artifact is resolved or appropriately escalated.
That is successful troubleshooting.