Lesson 1Cooling systems: fans, vents, filters, thermal sensorsThis section covers ultrasound cooling subsystems, including airflow paths, fans, vents, filters, and thermal sensors, emphasizing inspection, cleaning, replacement intervals, and how overheating affects reliability and image performance in daily use.
Airflow paths and chassis ventilationFan types, control, and replacementDust filters: inspection and cleaningThermal sensors and overheat alarmsHeat sinks and component temperature limitsLesson 2Probe cables, connectors, and strain relief designThis section examines probe cables and connectors, including conductor layout, shielding, strain reliefs, and locking mechanisms, focusing on inspection techniques, common damage patterns, and replacement or repair considerations for field conditions.
Cable construction and conductor bundlesShielding, grounding, and noise controlStrain relief design and flex pointsProbe connector pins and keyingVisual inspection and bend testingLesson 3System software: firmware, settings, presets, calibration dataThis section explains ultrasound system software layers, including firmware, configuration storage, presets, and calibration data, focusing on update procedures, backup strategies, version control, and maintenance-safe modification practices in resource-limited settings.
Main firmware roles and update methodsBootloader, BIOS, and recovery optionsUser settings and exam preset managementCalibration data storage and protectionSoftware logs and error code interpretationLesson 4Peripheral interfaces: USB, network, DICOM, footswitch, gel warmersThis section reviews common ultrasound peripheral interfaces, their roles in workflow, and key maintenance points, including connectivity checks, configuration, safety considerations, and troubleshooting of data and control accessories in clinic setups.
USB ports and peripheral device supportNetwork ports, switches, and cablingDICOM configuration and connectivity testsFootswitch wiring, pedals, and mappingGel warmers: power, safety, and upkeepLesson 5Power subsystem: internal PSU, batteries/UPS, fuses, groundingThis section explains the power subsystem, including internal power supplies, batteries or UPS modules, fuses, and grounding, with emphasis on safety checks, fault isolation, and verifying correct voltages under load in variable power environments.
AC input, line filters, and inrushInternal PSU rails and regulationBattery or UPS modules and testingFuses, breakers, and protection pathsProtective earth and leakage concernsLesson 6Detailed console components: CPU, GPU, DSP, image processing boardsThis section outlines console processing hardware, including CPU, GPU, DSP, and dedicated image processing boards, explaining their roles in beamforming, reconstruction, and post-processing, plus typical failure symptoms in operational use.
Main CPU board and system controlGPU roles in rendering and 3DDSP and beamformer hardware blocksImage processing and I/O boardsBoard cooling, seating, and connectorsLesson 7Types of cart-based general imaging systems and common modelsThis section introduces cart-based general imaging platforms, their mechanical layout, and common commercial models, highlighting shared design patterns, service access points, and implications for preventive maintenance planning in Zimbabwean hospitals.
Typical cart mechanical layoutConsole, cart, and probe bay ergonomicsPower entry, wheels, and cable managementModel families from major vendorsService access panels and labelsLesson 8Display and monitor subsystems: panels, video cables, settingsThis section describes display and monitor subsystems, including LCD panels, backlights, video cables, and configuration settings, linking image quality issues to likely causes and outlining safe adjustment and replacement steps for local techs.
LCD panel types and backlight systemsVideo signal formats and cablingBrightness, contrast, and gamma setupImage artifacts and display diagnosticsMounting hardware and tilt mechanismsLesson 9Probe types: convex, linear, endocavitary — construction and acoustic elementsThis section details major probe types and their internal construction, including array geometry, backing and matching layers, and acoustic lenses, linking design features to performance, failure modes, and safe handling practices in clinical practice.
Convex probes: geometry and applicationsLinear probes: structure and use casesEndocavitary probes: design and safetyPiezoelectric arrays and matching layersBacking, damping, and acoustic lens design
