[ Metal Headset User Guide PDF from 2008 ]
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Revision 1.
Device for mounting an ultrasound probe to the head for ultrasound
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Articulate Instruments Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Articulate Instruments Ltd.
- Definitions
- Warranty
- Safety Precautions
- Overview
- Inspection
- System Features
- Ultrasound Headset Description
- The headmount
- Probe attachment
- Ultrasound Headset Setup
- Vertical head position adjustment
- Cheek pad vertical adjustment
- Horizontal head position adjustment
- Headband position adjustment
- Lateral stabilisation
- Fastening the headband
- Releasing the headband
- Locating the probe in the probeholder
- Using the plastic tube accessory
- Vertical and midsagittal-coronal probe adjustment
- Forward/Backwards probe adjustment
- Rotational probe adjustment
- Recommended procedure for fitting and removing the headset
- Preparation before fitting the headset.
- Fitting the headset
- Adjusting the probe position
- Removing the headset
- Aftercare
- Technical Details
- Specifications
- General Environmental
- Ultrasound Headset Maintenance
- Specifications
- Troubleshooting
- FAQ
- Contact
US Ultrasound
Articulate Instruments Ltd warrants the ultrasound headset against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from receipt by the user. During that warranty period, Articulate Instruments will either, at its option, repair or replace products, which prove to be defective. Articulate Instruments can accept no responsibility if the ultrasound headset is used other than in accordance with the instructions supplied. This warranty applies to the initial purchaser only and is not transferable. Full Terms and Conditions are contained in the Warranty Terms and Conditions enclosed with the device.
To minimise the risk of neck strain and/or back strain, under normal circumstances, the duration of use should not be longer than sixty (60) minutes.
Upon receipt of your ultrasound probe, it should be examined immediately for any evidence of damage. Damaged shipments should be reported promptly to the carrier, who is normally liable for such damage. All documentation, airway bills and packing materials should be retained in order to establish claims. After notifying the carrier of shipping damage, please also advise Articulate Instruments so that we may assist in damage claims and supply replacement equipment if necessary.
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Securely holds probes of different sizes and shapes with probe body diameters ranging from 15mm-27mm and ranging from 28mm-43mm using two different clamps (typical a probe of length 235mm, diameter 22mm and weight 350g)
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Probe able to be rotated easily from midsagittal to coronal alignment.
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Set-up time < 5 minutes
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Quick release <5 seconds
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No tools required for set-up
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Lightweight (0.8kg)*
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Doesn’t obstruct ears, eyes or jaw
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Adjustable for a large range of head sizes
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Comfortable gel padding for superior head mount
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Wipe-down removable neoprene padding
* Probe with cable will add extra weight
The device consists of a rigid aluminium outer structure that carries the probe
holder and a polycarbonate inner shell with neoprene padding that hugs the
contour of the head. It can be adjusted to fit different head shapes without the
need for tools of any sort.
The headset is designed to cope with heads of width up to 165mm
(measured just above the temples). The headmount is manufactured
principally from lightweight, rigid aluminium and is held in place by one quick
release strap for best comfort. The strap can be adjusted easily and quickly in
measured ratchet steps and a quick release mechanism allows the
headmount to be removed in less than 5 seconds. Stability of the headmount
arises from firm contact with the cranium, cheek bones, temples and nape of
the neck. Note that a chin strap is not used as this would obstruct the probe
and impede jaw movement. All points of contact are padded for comfort.
Padding has a wipe-down surface for easy hygiene control after use.
Frontal Bone
(downward)
Zygomatic Bone
(Frontal, slightly upward and to
the side)
Zygomatic Bone
(sideways both sides)
Occipital Bone (rear and upwards)
Figure 1 Shows point of contact between the headset and the skull indicating direction of force.
The headset provides cushioned but firm support in 3 dimensions on the occipital, zygomatic and frontal bones
The probe holder is locked onto the headmount. Front/back and rotational movement in the midsagittal plane are catered for in the mounting. Midsagittal to coronal probe rotation is catered for by the simple expedient of turning the probe in the holder. Vertical positioning is adjusted by a combination of raising and lowering the whole outer structure relative to the head and by sliding the probe in the holder. No rotation or translation (left/right) in the coronal plane is catered for.
Figure 2 The four degrees of freedom of probe adjustment
The purpose of this adjustment is to make sure there is the right amount of space between the probe and the chin. Refer to Figure 3. Both knobs should be turned clockwise to bring the probe holder nearer to the chin and anticlockwise to set the probe holder further from the chin. Factors to take into account when judging the gap between the probe holder and the chin include:
a. the size of the probe head
b. the depth of standoff (if used)
c. the extent of travel of the probe within the probe holder
This adjustment may be made with or without the probe in the probeholder.
Figure 3 Head to headset relative adjustment
Loosen the cheek plate lock screw A (Figure 4) by rotating anticlockwise and slide the cheek plate up into position. Then lock the plate in position by turning the cheek plate lock screw clockwise. Light finger tightness is sufficient. NOTE: Make sure both cheek plates are at the same height or the headset may not sit level.
NOTE: If you are facing the headset this means the left lock screw rotates away from you but the right lock screw rotates towards you.
Figure 4 Cheek plate vertical adjustment
Lock Screw A
The purpose of this adjustment is to make sure that the ears are not covered by the headset and that the head sits centrally within the headset in the horizontal plane. Turning the cheek plate wing screw B in a clockwise direction will increase the distance from the cheek plate to the cheek pads and so bring the headset forward off the ears. Note, if the headset is not sitting centrally then the you may not be able to adjust the probe holder to sit in the ideal position.
Figure 5 Horizontal head position adjustment
Wing Screw B
The headband should hook under the occipital bone (See
Figure 1a) and pull up at 45 degrees (i.e. more or less in line with the anchor bracket). If this is not the case the anchor point can be raised or lowered by loosening the headband anchor plate lock screw C , (see Figure 6) sliding the anchor plate up or down and tightening the lock screw. NOTE: Make sure the both anchor plates are at the same height or the headset will not sit level.
Figure 6 Headband anchor plate adjustment
Lock Screw D
To reduce movement of the headset from side to side, the lateral stabilisation dial E (Figure 7) should be rotated clockwise to tighten the headset (and anticlockwise to loosen it). This dial pushes on the flexible padded polycarbonate headset inner shell, which hugs the side of the head. If the cheek plate has been adjusted correctly to line up the cheekpads then the central point of pressure should be automatically be directed at the side of the cheekbone (zygomatic bone) rather than the temple or the jaw.
Figure 7 Lateral stabilisation dial
Lateral Dial E
Align the ladder strap with the ratchet and push until it clicks into the ratchet. Then push the black ratchet lever to the right (Figure 8) to tighten by one or two notches. Repeat lever action to tighten further.
Figure 8 Tightening the headband
Push the yellow release button on the headband to the left (the opposite direction to the lever) to disengage the ratchet and pull the ladder strap free (Figure 9).
Ladder strap
Ratchet lever
Release Button
Figure 9 Releasing the headband
Slide the probeholder front plate upwards and pull forwards to separate it from
the probeholder back plate. Set the clamp to its most open position by rotating
the probeholder clamp dial anticlockwise. Then place the probe against the
back plate locate the front plate and slide the front plate downwards. Finally
tighten the clamp by rotating the probeholder clamp dial clockwise.
NOTE: for probes with short handles such as microconvex paediatric probes
the probe should be first fitted inside the acrylic tube accessory.
Figure 10 Placing the probe in the probe holder
Clamp dial
(15-27mm diameter)
Probeholder front plate
Probeholder back plate
Clamp dial
(28-43mm diameter)
Probes with long necks such as endocavity probes should be placed directly into the probe holder. Probes with short handles such as microconvex paediatric probes may be placed inside an plastic tube (not supplied). The purpose of doing so is to extend the distance that the probe can be slid up and down in the probe.
For small adjustments in the height of the probe, slacken the probeholder clamp, slide the probe up or down and tighten the clamp again. Similarly, to set the probe in a midsagittal or coronal alignment, slacken the probeholder clamp, rotate the probe in the holder and tighten the clamp again.
Loosen the probe holder lock screw F on both sides of the headset by rotating anticlockwise. NOTE: If you are facing the headset this means the left lock screw rotates away from you but the right lock screw rotates towards you. Slide the probe holder forwards or backwards. Make sure the lock screws are in the same relative position on both sides then tighten them (Figure 11).
Figure 11 Forward/backward positioning of the probe
Lock screw F
The probe holder can be rotated by 30 degrees from the vertical in the midsagittal plane. This allows the probe to be rotated so that the hyoid and mandible shadows are evenly placed on the ultrasound display. To rotate, loosen the probe rotation lock screw G on both sides of the headset. Rotate the probe holder into position. Make sure the lock screws are in the same relative position on both sides then tighten them.
Figure 12 Rotational probe alignment
Lock screw G
- Rotate probe holder to the front (as shown in Figure 4) so that it is away from the wearer’s neck during the initial fitting procedure.
- Adjust the cheek plates so that they in a low position. This is to avoid them covering the wearer’s eyes when the headset is placed on their head for the first time.
- Judge the size of the wearer’s head and adjust the vertical head position to suit.
- Judge the size of the wearers head and adjust the horizontal head position (i.e. rotate the cheek pads in or out)
- Turn the lateral stabilisation dials anticlockwise to the widest setting then back clockwise by a quarter turn. NOTE: if the dial is at the maximum anticlockwise position it can prevent the cheek plate from sliding easily so make sure it is a quarter turn off maximum
- Unfasten the headband.
- Optionally the probe may be placed in the probe holder in its lowest position OR the probe may be located later once the headset has been fitted.
- Gently place the headset on the wearer’s head taking care that the probeholder doesn’t catch on the wearer’s chin.
- Check vertical alignment
- Check horizontal alignment
- If gross vertical and horizontal adjustments are required, remove the headset and make these adjustments otherwise make minor adjustments with the headset in situ.
- Fasten the headband at a loose setting.
- Adjust cheek plates
- Adjust the headband anchor plate
- Incrementally tighten the headband and if necessary, adjust cheek pads to maintain the horizontal position.
- Stand back and looking from the front check that the headset is on straight and the probeholder is aligned midsagittally.
- Tighten the lateral stabilisation until the wearer says it is comfortable but firm.
REMEMBER: If the wearer feels the headset is tight during setup it will
become more uncomfortable over a period of time so make sure they are
comfortable at this point.
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If the probe is not already in the probe holder fit it now in a low position.
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Orient the probe in a midsagittal or coronal alignment.
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Slide the probe holder forward or backwards as required.
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Set the angle of the probe as required.
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Optionally put gel on both sides of soft standoff, place standoff on probe and raise probe in probeholder.
- Slacken off the lateral stabilisation dials
- Lower the probe
- Release the headset strap
NOTE: In emergencies go straight to step 3 but remember to complete steps 1 and 2 before trying to replace the headset.
- Wipe down all padded surfaces with disinfectant and/or mild detergent and rinse.
Ultrasound Headset
Dimensions Maximum internal width W165mm Maximum internal height H 260mm Maximum probe diameter ¬ 43mm
Weight 0.8 kg
Serial Number ________
Temperature (Operation) +10 to +40°C
Temperature (Storage/Transport) -15 to +60 °C
Regular maintenance of a technical nature is not required for the ultrasound headset. Padded areas of the headset can be wiped down with disinfectant after each use.
If the headset appears to be malfunctioning please contact customer support services for advice, or, if necessary, to arrange the return of the unit to Articulate Instruments Ltd for repair or replacement.
Under normal circumstances the unit should not be disassembled or repairs attempted on site. If done, then this action would invalidate the warranty terms.
The Articulate Instruments website should be regularly monitored for updated manuals.
Q. The cheek plates won’t slide up or down even though I’ve loosened the lock nuts. A. Make sure the lateral stabilisation dial isn’t turned maximally anticlockwise as this can lock the cheek plate. Turn it at least a quarter turn off maximum.
If you are experiencing problems with the equipment, which are not covered in this manual, you can contact
Alan Wrench Articulate Instruments Ltd Queen Margaret Campus Queen Margaret University Drive Musselburgh EH21 6UU
Tel: +44 131 474 0000 Fax: +44 131 474 0001 Email: awrench@articulateinstruments.com WWW: http://www.articulateinstruments.com
