The ProbeHunter system that validates the performance of ultrasound probes in real time has been granted a patent for the invention in the USA and Sweden.
“As patent holder it is with great humility that we receive this recognition,” ProbeHunter CEO Björn Segall said. “It is of importance for patient safety to test and quality assure ultrasound probes on a frequent basis. Studies show that up to 40% of the probes need to be attended to at a hospital that have not tested the probes. After yearly testing it is possible to arrive on a faulty frequency of 10-15%. Due to the fact that even some new probes can have some kind of inaccuracy or damage.”
“It has been noted in many cases that the doctors and biotechs are not aware of the problem, since the problem often occurs in the non-imaging modes like CW-doppler or Elastography. The problem is that you cannot see the problem, that’s the problem. You need to test,” he added.