Aco Smartcare
Aco Healthcare Co., Ltd. · Model neo L187
The Aco Apache Ultrasound System is a portable color ultrasound imaging system, capable of producing high detail resolution intended for clinical diagnostic imaging applications through wireless communication with an off-the-shelf (OTS) mobile device. This system is a general purpose, software controlled, diagnostic ultrasound system. Its basic function is to acquire ultrasound data and display the image in B-Mode, M-Mode, Color Doppler mode, Power Doppler mode, PW mode or a combination of these modes.
Intended use: A battery-powered, hand-held device/device assembly designed to be placed over the external body surface for collection, display, and analysis of ultrasound information during a variety of ultrasound imaging procedures (i.e., non-dedicated); it may in addition be intended to be used with a sterile cover for intraoperative imaging. It consists of a flat- or concave-lensed ultrasound transducer and includes an integrated image processing system; it may include an integrated display or be intended to wirelessly transmit images to an off-the-shelf device (e.g., smartphone, tablet) with dedicated software installed. It is not designed to be inserted into the vagina or rectum.
Key tips
- ·Never bypass a radiation interlock to "just get the image" - this is one of the few true zero-tolerance rules in BMET work.
- ·Trend image-quality phantom results over time - drift shows up before an outright failure does.
- ·Portable/mobile units take real physical abuse from transport - check wheel locks and cable strain reliefs more often than fixed units.
Typical Failure Modes
Failure patterns typical of this equipment class - general BMET reference, not verified against this exact unit's own service history unless flagged. Severity is a category-level estimate.
Transducer element failure
MediumSymptoms: Dropout, dead elements, image banding.
Root cause: Element delamination or cable damage from repeated use.
Transducer cable / connector wear
MediumSymptoms: Intermittent image loss, connector-wiggle artifact.
Root cause: Repeated flexing and connector strain.
Recon / system software hang
LowSymptoms: Frozen console, acquisition timeout.
Root cause: Workstation or storage degradation.
Display panel degradation
LowSymptoms: Dim image, color shift, dead pixels.
Root cause: Backlight or LCD panel aging.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
The parts a BMET typically services on this class of equipment. Service class and relative cost are general engineering estimates for the category, not figures from this unit's documentation. Part numbers appear only when pulled from this unit's own service manual. Always confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Workstation / GPU
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
Display panel
Class Major service partRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Ultrasound transducer / probe
Handle with care; most-replaced probe assembly.
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$$$R&R Moderate
Transducer cable assembly
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Fairly easy
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workstation / GPU | Periodic replacement | $$$ | Difficult |
| Display panel | Major service part | $$ | Moderate |
| Ultrasound transducer / probe Handle with care; most-replaced probe assembly. | Periodic replacement | $$$$ | Moderate |
| Transducer cable assembly | Periodic replacement | $$ | Fairly easy |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ highest service-part cost for this equipment class. Not a price.
PM Checklist
Preventive-maintenance tasks typical of this equipment class. Perform to the manufacturer's procedure and your facility's policy - this is general reference, not a schedule for this specific unit.
- ·Daily QC per modality: image-quality phantom test
- ·Tube and detector inspection
- ·Annual state-required radiation safety survey
- ·Vendor-scheduled preventive maintenance
Troubleshooting Approach
A structured starting point derived from the failure modes above. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Transducer element failure
- Confirm the presentation - typically dropout, dead elements, image banding - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: element delamination or cable damage from repeated use.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the ultrasound transducer / probe per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Symptom: Transducer cable / connector wear
- Confirm the presentation - typically intermittent image loss, connector-wiggle artifact - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: repeated flexing and connector strain.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the transducer cable assembly per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Technical Specs
- MRI safety
- MR Unsafe
- Sterile
- No
- Single use
- No
- Prescription use
- Rx only
- FDA distribution status
- Not in Commercial Distribution
- Device type (GMDN)
- Hand-held ultrasound imaging system, body-surface
- FDA product classification
- System, Imaging, Pulsed Doppler, Ultrasonic; System, Imaging, Pulsed Echo, Ultrasonic; Transducer, Ultrasonic, Diagnostic
Typical Location
Where this class of equipment is typically deployed - general reference, not this unit's own placement record.
- Radiology / Imaging department
- Emergency Department (portable units)
- Operating Room (C-arms)
- Cath lab
- Bedside ICU (portable X-ray)
Documents & Manuals
No documents available for this device yet.
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