Probe marker confusion

Probe marker notes



Ultrasound: Basic understanding and learning the language - Int J Shoulder Surg. 2010 Jul-Sep; 4(3): 55–62.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3063344/

PROBE ORIENTATION

Probe orientation is important because the US probe can be easily rotated around (180°) while the position of the monitor remains unchanged, which may create confusion in the direction of probe manipulation and needle advancement and placement.

Therefore, it is always useful to confirm which side of the probe corresponds to a particular side of the screen in order to identify the correct orientation of the image. All transducers have an orientation marker that corresponds to the marker on the screen.


Transthoracic Echocardiogram

http://www.fpnotebook.com/cv/Rad/TrnsthrcEchcrdgrm.htm

Probe Direction Indicator

Issue of confusion on learning bedside Ultrasound (emergency department and critical care)

Cardiac echo is, by convention, performed with direction indicator on the screen right

Provider should direct the indicator when transverse to point to 3:00 (not 9:00) when performing Echocardiogram

Ultrasound machines when on cardiac preset will automatically move the screen indicator to screen right

All other regional Ultrasound conventions and machine presets are with the indicator on screen left (and pointing to 9:00 position)

Follow simple rule: Probe indicator direction should match the screen indicator direction (with screen directly in front of operator)

Check the probe indicators screen position, by observing the screen while tapping or drawing finger across the indicator end.



.END