Quality control in ultrasonography systems

• Main Author: Κουνάβης, Παναγιώτης
• Other Authors: Kounavis, Panagiotis
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Quality control; Ultrasonography systems; Έλεγχος ποιότητας; Υπερηχογραφικά συστήματα

Ultrasonography has been proven a very efficient tool in the field of medical imaging. Its advantages have been rapidly implemented in medical practice due to the absence of ionizing radiation and the low cost of purchase, function, and maintenance especially in comparison with equipment used in other medical imaging methods. Using an ultrasonography system is a simple way with many applications in various anatomical areas. Intensive employment of ultrasonography equipment has the result of displaying severe deterioration in their different functional parts where in most of the cases are unperceived in naked eye. That situation has a significant impact in quality of equipment’s display. Misleading anatomical displays may conclude in a false examination of a clinical condition. In order to enhance the functional ultrasonography equipment’s reliability and its lifetime, various quality control protocols have been created and implemented for use. That protocols includes a set of inspections where an expertise should make regularly to ensure that proper measures would be considered in case of serious malfunctions. They consist of equipment’s inspections for obvious external wears, and evaluation of diagnostic display, using in some cases appropriate phantoms. The purpose of this thesis is to collect and present the fundamental quality control tests of ultrasonography equipment which are recommended by the quality assurance programs of ACR, AAPM, BMUS, AIUM, and EFSUMB, and following that to implement these inspections in ultrasonography equipment, resulting in quality control assessment. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the following restrictions in movements, tests were not implemented in ultrasonography devises. So, the current thesis will not present experimental results about quality control of tested equipment. Although, I did not find any case of mandatory protocol, there are various Health Centers around the world that use optional inspections to warranty their provided clinical services.