User's Manual

39
Safety
This chapter provides instructions on the product's safe usage and
offers information on safety guidelines. Pay special attention to
warnings and cautions, and follow them before, during, and after
operating the product:
• Warnings indicate information vital to the safety of you, the
operator, and the patient.
• Cautions highlight possible damages to the product that may
void your warranty or service contract or lose patient or system
data.
About Diagnostic Ultrasounds
Interactions with Matter
When using diagnostic ultrasound, the sound waves are directed
towards an area of interest, which then interacts with any matter
along its path. This interaction is determined by the characteristics of
the ultrasound wave, as well as the physical properties of the matter
through which the sound wave passes. Diagnostic ultrasound
frequencies range from 2 MHz to 15 MHz.
Studies
Exposure-effect studies have been performed at intensity levels
much higher than those in diagnostic ultrasound practice, which
revealed two mechanisms known to alter biological systems:
• Thermal mechanism: Heating of soft tissue and bone.
• Non-thermal mechanism: Mechanical phenomena, such as
cavitation.