Our repair experts have written another blog post providing a glimpse into TEE probe repair. Read on to learn more!
What is the purpose of mesh under the bending rubber of a TEE probe?
Is it necessary? Yes, it is. Why? Mesh keeps the articulation ribs from puncturing the bending rubber as well as adding stability to the articulation section.
During repair on a TEE probe, you may be surprised to find the mesh missing. If you are performing a complete overhaul, then it’s fairly straightforward. During the reassembly process, you install mesh and go from there.
But let’s say that you’re evaluating a probe with some minor repairs that don’t require tip removal. Everything looks great, but something just seems a little off. Here are some telltale signs that mesh might be missing under the bending rubber:
--Look for an unusually loose articulation section. If the steering cables are adjusted properly, the bending section should be rigid when not locked in.
--Visually inspect the bending rubber. Most of the time you will see evidence of mesh underneath. If you can see the ribs though that’s usually not a good sign.
--And finally, by feel. If the mesh is missing you can easily feel the articulating ribs underneath. In this case a simple repair now becomes a full overhaul. Time-consuming, yes, but completely necessary!
About the Author
Brian Gill is Probo Medical’s Vice President of Marketing. He has been in the ultrasound industry since 1999. From sales to service to customer support, he has done everything from circuit board repair and on-site service to networking and PACS, to training clinicians on ultrasound equipment. Through the years, Brian has trained more than 500 clinicians on over 100 different ultrasound machines. Currently, Brian is known as the industry expert in evaluating ultrasounds and training users on all makes and models of ultrasound equipment, this includes consulting with manufacturers with equipment evaluations during all stages of product development.
