Degradation of ultrasound probes caused by disinfection with alcohol

• DOI: 10.1007/s10396-010-0296-1
• Publication Date: 2010-12-22T02:49:29Z
• Authors: Harumi Koibuchi; Yasutomo Fujii; Kazuhiko Kotani; Kei Konno; Hiroaki Matsunaga; Michiaki Miyamoto; Nobuyuki Taniguchi
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine

The aim of this study was to clarify the degree of degradation of ultrasonic probes that results from their disinfection with alcohol. No defect in the ultrasound beams was found in any of the probes, but a significant decrease of the brightness was found after a certain period of use of the linear-type probe. Disinfection with alcohol may degrade ultrasound probes despite its high degree of effectiveness in preventing iatrogenic bacterial transmission.