Performing a Sectorial Scan

Sensitivity/ Velocity/Wedge Delay

Calibration-Shear Wave PA Using
a SDH at a Known Depth 2.0 SW

By Nick Bublitz
Calibrations-Required items
Calibrationblock with 2 same size reflectors
at known depths- (Navships block with
SDHs)
Couplant-water works best
Guide to keep from skewing- use a ruler, set
the block on its side, or on IHC wedges can
screw down one sides carbide pins.

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Velocity Calibration
The velocity calibration will fine tune the velocity to
that of the calibration block. It will require two
reflectors of the same size at two different known
depths.
In many cases the default material velocity set by
the operator in the group wizard is sufficient and
this calibration can be skipped because wedge
delay will adjust accordingly to allow accurate
measurements.
If performed the velocity calibration should be
done before the wedge delay calibration.

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Select Velocity Calibration
Go to the Wizard-
Calibration menu
Select Ultrasound and
Velocity
Start the wizard

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Select A-Scan
Put the probe on your
block over the first
reflector.
Choose an angle near the
middle of your angle
sweep using the angle
function.
Adjust range as needed to
ensure you will see the 2
reflectors you have
chosen.

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Set Depth 1 and 2
Select depth from echo
type
Set depth 1 and depth
2 to your reflector
depths.

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Set Gate A on Depth 1
Move probe back and forth
over the first reflector
building an envelope. Use
a guide so you do not
skew right or left.
Ensure you peak the
reflector.
Adjust the gate to
encompass the reflector.
Get position.

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Set Gate A on Depth 2
Repeat the peaking
process on your
second reflector.
Adjust the gate to
encompass this
reflector.
Get position.

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Accept or Restart
View the velocity
determination
If it is sensible accept
the calibration, if not
restart.

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Wedge Delay-Depth Reflector
Wedge Delay will enter compensation for
the travel of the beams through the wedge
medium and account for the various exit
points.
Wedge delay needs only 1 distinct reflector-
a known depth reflector will be used here.
After wedge calibrations, accurate
measurements can be taken.

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Wedge Delay Calibration-Depth
Enter the calibration
menu

Select
Ultrasound and
Wedge Delay-Start

Select depth and input

depth to the reflector
and a tolerance

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Set Section
Decide if you want to
calibrate the whole
angular sweep or
break it up into
separate calibrations-
for most setups with a
good calibration block
you can calibrate the
whole sweep. Hit Next

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Set Gate A on Depth A
Put the probe on the block so
you can see the chosen
depth reflector.
Adjust the gate
start/width/threshold to
encompass the reflector.
Move the probe forward
and backwards to ensure
gate is encompassing
reflector through all angles
and there are no other
reflectors that will affect
calibration.
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Calibrate and Accept
Move the probe forward
and backward applying
even pressure and
avoiding skewing right or
left.
Move in both directions
until the green line is built
across the whole angular
range. Adjust gain as
needed.
Hit calibrate.

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Accept or Restart
After hitting calibrate-
rerun the probe
through the angular
range verifying you are
within the set
tolerance.
Accept or Restart.

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Verifying Wedge Delay
Set the DA reading
from the
Measurement-
Readings menu
Turn on the Highest %
feature in the Display-
Properties-Source
menu
Run the probe through
the angular sweep
while observing the DA
reading.
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Sensitivity Calibrations
Sensitivity calibrations equalize the
sensitivity (amplitude) to a given reflector
through all the angles.
This will insure no matter what angle the
reflector is seen at the % FSH is the same
for rejection or detection purposes as well
as for the amplitude based color coded
imaging selections.

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Sensitivity Calibration
EnterCalibration menu
and select Sensitivity

Choose a reference
screen height to
equalize sensitivity to
(80% FSH) and a
tolerance

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Getting Started
Choose a SDH and
couple your probe
above it
Use a guide system to
keep the probe from
skewing side to side.

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Set Section
Choose whether to
calibrate the whole
angular sweep in one
step or break it up into
separate calibrations-
if your calibration block
has adequate spacing
between SDHs you
can usually do the
whole range.

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Set Gate A on Echo A
Set the gate to encompass the
SDH reflection. Adjust the
start/width/threshold of the gate.

Move the probe forward and

backward to ensure the gate
covers the reflector through all
the angles and is not on any
other reflectors that may inhibit
the calibration

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Set Compensation Gain
Allows you to adjust
the gain as needed to
ensure the reflector is
seen properly
throughout all the
angles
In most cases no
adjustment or an
adjustment of the
overall gain (if over
reference level FSH%)
is needed.
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Calibrate and Accept
Applying even pressure
and not skewing right or
left, move the probe
forward and backwards to
build the green line as the
reflector is seen by the
angles.
Ensure the green line is
on-screen across the
whole screen-not to low or
over the tolerance lines.

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Calibrate and Accept
Press Calibrate
Verify the calibration
by repeating the
forward and backward
movement of the probe
The green line should
fall within the defined
tolerance lines across
all the angles.
Accept or Recalibrate
as needed.

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To Verify Sensitivity Calibration
To verify sensitivity go
to Display menu
Select properties
Change source to
Highest
Run the probe back and
forth and observe FSH
in the A% reading field
as the data cursor
tracks the highest
amplitude signal.

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