Bcf Easi-scan User manual

Instruction manual

Contents page

Introduction 4

System features 5

Operator safety 5

1 Operating instructions 6

1.1 Preliminaryswitchon 6

1.2 Power 6

1.3 Scanning 7

1.4 Scannersetup 10

AppendixA–Bluetoothcontrol 11

AppendixB–USBimageretrieval 11

2 Care & maintenance 12

2.1 Easi-Scanandpowerpack 12

2.2 Batterycharging 12

2.3 Easi-Scanprobe 13

Technical speciﬁcation 14

Accessories 15

Distributors 16

Introduction

BCF Technology Ltd is the market leader in the development and production of ultrasonic

‘real time’ pregnancy scanners for most animal species. The company has been developing

and manufacturing these systems for the last 25 years.

Usingthelateststateofthearttechnologywehavecombinedcuttingedgedigitalimagingwithlow

powerconsumptionandminiaturisationtoproduceEasi-Scan;asmall,light,robust,portableandtruly

versatileultrasoundscanner.

TheEasi-Scan isdesignedandmanufacturedinScotlandby:

BCFTechnology Ltd

3RutherfordSquare

BruceﬁeldIndustryPark

Livingston,WestLothian

EH549BU

Scotland,UK

Telephone +44 (0)1506 460023

Facsimile +44(0)1506460045

Email info@bcftechnology.com

Website www.bcftechnology.com

Asspecialistsinprovidingultrasoundimagingequipmentforveterinaryandanimalhusbandry

applications,werealisetheimportanceofequipmentreliabilityandspeedofresponseshouldservice

assistanceberequired.Ourengineersandtheirappointedagentsareavailabletoproviderapidservice

assistancetoensureoptimumperformanceofBCFsystems.

TheEasi-ScanconformstotherequirementsofEuropeanDirective89/336/EECrelatingtoelectromagnetic

compatibility(EMC)andalso2002/95/ECrelatingtoReductionofHazardousSubstances(RoHS).TheCE

markonthefrontofthescannerisasymbolofthisconformance.Ifyourequireanyfurtherinformation

regardingthesedirectivespleasecontactusdirectly.

Note: All BCF Technology products are to be used for animal applications only.

System features

Easi-Scan is optimised for mobile real time ultrasound scanning, giving crisp imaging in target

applications with minimum need for operator adjustments.

Theﬁxedhighresolutionbroadbandprobesupportsawideapplicationrangefrommagniﬁed• superﬁcialstudytodeeppenetrationpregnancywork

Scannersettingsareoptimisedforselectedapplication• Theimagemaybeviewedonachoiceofdisplays.Displayoptionsincludeheadmountedgoggles• display, remote monitor using wireless video link and 3.5” wrist mounted LCD display

Imagesmaybestored,forlaterreview.StoredimagesmaybeuploadedtocomputerviaUSB• orprintedwithoptionalaccessories

Lightweightunitforlessstrain• Threehours’continuoususefrominternalrechargeablebattery, More than seven hours of• continuoususewithhighcapacitypowerpackattached,withautoStandbyfunction

TheunitiswaterresistanttoIP65(seecommentslaterinmanual)• Easilycleaned;allcomponentpartscanbewipeddowntoclean•

Operator safety

Easi-Scan is designed to run from its built-in battery or custom power pack latched

to the scanner.

Thescannerandbatteriesmustbe charged usingonlythe BCF Standalonechargeror integrated carrycase

poweredfrom the carpoweroutlet (12V DC)orthe BCF mainspowersupply.The carrycasemust not be

closedduring charging. Iftheunit must bechargedusing the mainsadapter,useonly in dryconditions.

AlthoughtheEasi-Scanrunsfromalowvoltagesource,highvoltagesaregeneratedinsidetheunit.

Forthisreasonnoattemptshouldbemadetodisassemblethescanner.

Operating Instructions

1.1 PRELIMINARY SWITCH ON

Switchontheremotevideomonitor(ifused),ensuringcorrectreceivechannelselected.Attachthewrist

displayorgogglestotheuserconnectorportontopofthescanner(ﬁg 2).Checktheplugandsocketare

freefromdebris.Alignthedotsontheplugandsocketandpushtoclickinplace.

1.2 POWER

Easi-Scanhasaninternalbuiltinbatteryforuptothreehoursuse.Scannerruntimemayapproach

doublethisdurationusingtheAutostandbyfeature.Abriefpressofthepowerbutton(ﬁg 3) will

indicatethecurrentinternalbatterychargestatus(Red=Low,Amber = Good, Green = Full) on the

controlpanelLED(ﬁg 4).To power the scanner on, press and hold the power button until the scanner

beeps.ThecontrolpanelLEDwillilluminategreenbeforerevertingtoindicatingbatterystatusas

detailedabove.

Ifusinganadditionalpowerpackforextendedruntime,ensurebothlatchesholditsecurelytotheEasi-

Scanwhenitisclippedinplace.TheexternalbatterychargelevelisindicatedonBatteryLEDwhenthe

scannerisswitchedon.Thescannerwilltake power from the external battery in preference to its internal

battery. On power-up the scanner will perform a system initialisation, displaying the Main Menu, current

operationmodeandbatterylevelindicators.Inadditionagreybarwillbevisibledowntheleftsideof

thedisplay(ﬁg 1).

Theonscreenbatterylevelindicatorsgivemoreaccurateinformationonthebatterychargeremaining

fortheinternalbattery. An additional battery indicator is present when an external power pack is

connected.TheInternalbatteryindicatorisalwayspresent,andisthefurthestright.Ifviewingon

adisplayheadset,theheadsetmayneedtobeswitchedonseparately. The scanner will beep a second

time,indicatingsysteminitialisationiscompleteandthesystemisreadytofunction.

Note: The scanner will power on with the same settings it had when last switched off.

To switch the scanner off, press and hold the power button until the scanner beeps twice.

1.3 SCANNING

Easi-Scanhasseveralselectablepresetscanningapplicationmodes.SystemGAINmaybevariedtosuit

currentstudy. A short press on the Power button will Freeze and Unfreeze the image.

1.3.1 Standard Operation

Thescannerloadsthepreferredsettingsatpoweronandisreadyforuse.

To change a setting, press the Select button to switch the main menu on. In the absence of any button

presses,theMenudisappearsafterapproxtwoseconds.UsetheUpandDownbuttonstonavigatethe

menuandtheSelectbuttontoswitchtherelevantSub-Menuonoroff.In normal operation (Sizing not

selected,see1.3.6)withnomenudisplayed,theupanddownbuttonscontroltheGainsetting.

1.3.2 Mode selection

Thescannerloadsthepreferredstart-upmodewhenswitchedon.PresstheSelectbuttontobringupthe

menu,usethearrowbuttonstohighlight‘MODE’andpresstheSelectbuttontodisplaytheModeMenu.

UsetheUp&Downbuttonstoselectpreferredmode:

Detail1. FoetalSexing2. Ovary/EarlyPregnancy3. LatePregnancy4.

Thepreferredstart-upmodewillbestoredautomaticallywhentheunitispoweredoff.

1.3.3 Mode description

Thedetailmodeusesgreatermagniﬁcation,highfrequencyoperationandwiderdynamicrangefor

superﬁcialstudyoftissuesdownto4cm.TheFoetalSexingmodeprovidesoptimizedimageandfocal

settingsforfoetalsexingwork.Depthofstudyislimitedto8cm.TheOvary/Earlypregnancymodegives

alargemagniﬁcationandusesahigherultrasoundfrequencytogivegreaterresolution.Depthof

studyislimitedto8cm.TheLaterpregnancymodeprovidesadeeperscan(upto11cm)usingalower

frequencytoenablegreaterpenetration.

1.3.4 Gain control

Thegainmaybeadjustedviathemenu,presstheSelectbuttontobringupthemenu,usethearrow

buttonstohighlight‘Gain’andpresstheSelectbuttontodisplaytheGainMenu,thenusethe

Up&DownkeystoadjusttheGain.

Inaddition,ifthescannerisnotinSizingMode(neitherThresholdnorVerticalaredisplayedatthe

lowerleft)andthemenuisnotonscreen,thenpressingtheUpandDownkeyswilladjusttheGain.

1.3.5 On Farm Timer control

TheEasi-ScanprovidesatimerwhichcanbeusedtomonitorOn-FarmTime.Itsoperationisasfollows:

Select‘Timer’fromthemainmenu.TheTimerSub-Menuwillappearwiththefollowingoptions:

Exit Selectthisoptiontoexitthemenuwithoutmakinganychanges

Start/Stop Selectthisoptiontostartandstopthetimer;arunningtimerisdisplayed

inalightgreycolour, a stopped timer in a dark grey

Reset Selectthisoptiontoresetthetimer

Display Selectthisoptiontoswitchthetimerdisplayonandoff

Note: The timer will continue to run even if not displayed.

Thetimervalueisstoredonpowerdownandonpoweronwillresumewiththesamevalueandsettings.

1.3.6 Follicle Sizing Mode

TheEasi-Scanprovidesaquickandsimplemethodofmeasuringfolliclesize.

Note: To use the sizing mode, the scanner must be in Ovary/Early mode and the image must be frozen.

Select‘Sizing’fromthemainmenu,theSizingSub-Menuwillappearwith2selections:

Vertical Selectingthisoptionwillswitchthecursoradjustmentonoroff,a small cursor

willappearonscreenandcanbemovedupanddownthescreenusingthe

Up&Downbuttons.

Threshold Selectingthisoptionwillswitchthethresholdadjustmentonandoff,

thethresholdvaluecanthenbeadjustingusingtheUpandDownbuttons.

To use Follicle sizing, move the probe until the follicle is in the centre of the screen and freeze the image.

BringuptheMainMenuandselect‘Sizing’,switchVerticalonandusetheUporDownbuttonstomove

thecursortothecentreofthefollicle. Ifnecessary, switch Verticaloff and switch Threshold on and

adjustthethresholdvalueuntilthescannerdetectstheupperandloweredgesofthefollicle

(twosmallindicatorswillappear, pointing to the detected edges), the size of the follicle in

millimetreswillbedisplayedonthelowerrightofthescreen.

1.3.7 Foetal Ageing Mode

TheEasi-ScanprovidesindicatorswhichshowthesizesoftheCrownRumpLengthandTrunk Diameter

ofacattlefoetusatvariousstagesofdevelopment.

Note: The scanner must be in ‘Late’ mode to display the ageing lines.

Selecting‘Ageing’fromthemainmenuwillbringuptheSizingSub-Menuwhichallowstheoperatorto

selectfromthefollowingindicators:5/7Weeks,6/8 Weeks,7/9 Weeks,9/11 Weeks,10/12Weeksand Off.

EachsettingwilldisplayCRLand/orTDofthecorrectsizeforafoetusofthatgestation.

1.3.8 Auto Standby Mode

TheEasi-Scanhasalowpowerstandbymode,whichcanbeenabledbyselectingadurationfrom

theStandbySub-Menu.

IfthescannerdoesnotdetectanultrasoundimagefortheperiodselectedintheStandbySub-Menu,

thenitswitchestolowpowermode.Inthismode,thepowerconsumptionishalvedbyusinga

non-imagingscan,butultrasoundechoesarecontinuallymonitored.Ondetectingultrasoundechoes,

thescannerimmediatelyswitchesbacktofullpowermode.

1.3.9 Image Storage and Review

TheEasi-Scanallowstheoperatortostoreupto100imagesonthescanner.

To store a frozen image, select ‘Image’ from the main menu and Select ‘Store’ from the Image Sub-Menu,

thescannerwillthenstoretheimage.

To review the stored images on the scanner, Select ‘Review’ from the Image Sub-Menu and use the

Up&Downbuttonstopagethroughthestoredimages.InReviewmode,theoperatorispresentedwith

theoptiontodeleteeachimageastheyareviewed.Select‘Exit’fromtheImageSub-Menutoleave

ImageReviewmode.

1.3.10 Cattle ID Entry

TheEasi-ScanallowstheoperatortoenteracattleIDnumberwhichwillbeassociatedwiththeimage

onceitisstored.

Selecting‘CattleID’fromtheMainMenu,bringsuptheCattleIDentrymenu.Theoperatorcanusethe

Up&Downbuttonstoselectthedigittobechanged,pressingSelecthighlightsthedigitanditsvalue

canbechangedbyusingtheUp&Downbuttons,pressingselectagainreturnstothedigitselection

mode.To exit this Sub-Menu, it is necessary to either wait for the Menu to blank or press and hold

theSelectbuttonuntilthescannerbeepstwice.

1.3.10 Output Selection

Theoperatorcanselectfrom3differentoutputs on the front panel user connector:

DVI Selectingthisoptionfeedsadigitalvideosignaloutofthefrontpanel,thisoption

isusedwiththeBCFWristDisplay accessory

Composite SelectingthisoptionfeedsastandardgreyscaleNTSCvideosignaloutofthefront

panel,thisoptionisusedforBCFBUGsandMyVugoggles, or if using Videolead

(e.g.forVideoPrinter)

USB Selectingthisoptionallowstheusertoconnectthescannertoacomputervia

theUSBadapteraccessory. This mode is used to copy stored images from the scanner

(SeeAppendixB)

1.4 SCANNER SETUP

Preferencessuchasimageorientationandgraticulegriddisplaymaybealteredandstoredasdefault

atstart-up.TheSetupSub-MenucanbeaccessedbySelecting‘Setup’fromtheMainMenu.

1.4.1 BUGs Control

Theﬁrst2optionsintheSetupSub-MenuallowtheusertoadjusttheBrightnessandContrastofBCF

BUGsHeadmounteddisplay.

To adjust the settings, Select either Contrast or Brightness, the word ‘Adjust’ will appear alongside

theselectedoption.UsetheUp&Downbuttonstoadjustthesettings,presstheSelectbuttontoexit

adjustmentmode.

1.4.2 Low Battery Warning

WhentheInternalBatteryisnearingtheendofitsusefulcapacity, the on-screen indicator will

starttoblink.Inaddition,byswitchingtheLowBattBuzzeroptiontoon,thescannerwillgive

anaudibleindication.

1.4.3 Grid & Graticule Display

TheEasi-Scanallowstheoperatortodisplaygridand/orgraticulelinesontheimage.Thefollowing

optionsareavailable:

Off NoGrid or Scale markings displayed

Grid1/2cm A½cmgridisdisplayed

Grid1cm A1cmGridisdisplayed

Scale Scalemarkings(1/5cmonDetailmode,1/2cmonothermodes)

aredisplayeddowneachsideoftheimage

Grid&Scale A1cmGrid,andScalemarkingsaredisplayed

1.4.3 Video link channel (Remote monitor option)

TheEasi-ScancantransmittoanoptionalWirelessMonitor. To reduce interference and allow the use

ofmultipleEasi-Scans,thescannercanbesettotransmitononeoffourChannels.

PresstheSelectbuttontobringuptheRFChannelSub-MenuandusetheUp&Downbuttonstoselect

therequiredchannel.

1.4.4 Bluetooth Enable

TheEasi-ScancanbecontrolledviaBluetooth(SeeAppendixA).

ThisSub-MenuallowstheBluetoothmoduletobeswitchedOnorOff.

1.4.5 Practice Data Entry

TheEasi-ScanallowstheoperatortoenteraPracticeNamewhichwillbeassociatedwiththeimageonce

itisstored.Selecting‘PracticeData’fromtheSetupSub-MenubringsupthePracticeDataentrymenu.

TheoperatorcanusetheUp&Downbuttonstoselectthedigittobechanged,pressingSelecthighlights

thedigitanditsvaluecanbechangedbyusingtheUp&Downbuttons,pressingSelectagainreturnsto

thedigitselectionmode.To exit this Sub-Menu, it is necessary to either wait for the Menu to blank or

pressandholdtheSelectbuttonuntilthescannerbeepstwice.

1.4.6 Factory Reset

Selecting‘Reset’fromthisSub-Menuwillresetallsettingstofactorydefaults,storedimagesare

notaffected.

Appendix A – Bluetooth Control.

TheEasi-ScanallowscontrolofcertainscannerfunctionsviaBluetooth,allfunctionsarecontrolledinthe

samemanner. A Bluetooth device (phone, PDA, PC etc) sends an address entry (vcard) where the Name

takesoneofthefollowingforms:

M Sendingthisnamewillswitchtothenextmode

MD SendingthisnamewillswitchtoDetailmode

MF SendingthisnamewillswitchtoFoetalSexingmode

MO SendingthisnamewillswitchtoOvary/Earlymode

ML SendingthisnamewillswitchtoLatemode

C (followedbyCattleIdentiﬁcation)–SendingthisnamefollowedbyaspaceandtheCattleID

numberwillchangethecattleIDonthescanner

P (PracticeName)–SendingthisnamefollowedbyaspaceandthePracticenamewillchange

thepracticenameonthescanner

F SendingthisnamewillFreeze/Unfreezethescanner

Appendix B – USB Image Retrieval.

Note: The scanner identiﬁes itself as a Removable Flash Drive and will function with Windows,

Apple and Linux computers.

To retrieve stored images from the scanner, select USB from the Output Sub-Menu. Connect the USB

adaptercable(accessory)tothefrontpanelandconnecttheUSBplugtoacomputer. The scanner

willidentifyitselfasaUSBFlashdrivewiththenameEasi-Scan,ifnecessary, perform any mounting

operationsrequiredbyyouroperatingsystem.

Oncethedrivehasmounted,allofthestoredimageswillbevisibleasbmp(bitmap)imageswhichcanbe

copiedtothecomputerandopenedinmostimageviewers.Thescannerisreadonlyandimagescannot

bedeletedviatheconnectedcomputer.

Care & Maintenance

2.1 EASI-SCAN & POWERPACKS

TheEasi-Scanisdesignedforreliabilityintheveterinaryandanimalhusbandrymarketplace.

Ourengineerandtheirappointedagentsareavailabletoproviderapidserviceassistancetoensure

optimumperformanceofBCFsystems.Howeverthereisnosubstituteforcarefulusage.

Westate that the Easi-Scan is WATERPROOF,indeed it is sealed to IP65, but you should note the

followingIMPORTANT POINTS:

Theunitisnotsealedagainstjetsofwater. Waterwill penetrate your scanner if it is hosed down1. orrinsedunderafastﬂowingtap

TheunitisNOTcorrosionproofandthusitshouldnotbeleftwet2. Sometypesofgogglesarenotwaterproofandcareshouldbetakentoavoidsubmersion3. Thestandalonechargerandchargingcarrycasearenotwaterproof-avoidgettingthemwet4.

Cleaning

Theplasticscanner, power pack and carry pack can be cleaned using a cloth, soap and warm water• Spongingdownorevenbrief,shallowsubmersionislessaggressivethanrinsingorhosingdown• Thoroughlydrythescannerbeforestorageorcharging.Take care to detach the external power• pack(ifused)andensureinterconnectareasaredryalso

Warning:• Thescannerandpowerpackmustnotbestoreddamp-severecorrosionwillresult

Seeseparatesectionforprobecare• YourequipmentshouldbereturnedperiodicallytoaBCFqualiﬁedserviceengineer. The service• agentwillusespecialtestequipmenttothoroughlychecktheinstrumentandadviseofanywork

thatappearstobenecessary. Any other service problems should be referred to our qualiﬁed

serviceengineers

2.2 BATTERY CHARGING

Thescannercanbechargedbydockingittoeithertheintegratedcarrycaseorthestandalonecharger

withthecigarleadconnectedtoa12VDCpowersource.

Theinternalbatteryandanadditionalpowerpackclippedsecurelyinplacewillbecharged

simultaneously. The scanner and additional battery LEDs blink while charging, with colour indicating

stateofcharge(Red=Low,Amber = Good, Green = Full).

Furtherpowerpacksmaybechargedwithoutthescannerusingtheintegratedcarrycase.Allbatteries

willbechargedwithinthreehours,butwillnotbedamagedbycontinuedcharging.

TheNiMH batteries usedinternallyin the scannerandpower packs arepairedwith charge management

circuitsto give severalhundredrecharge cycles. Whilebatteriesare in goodconditionand are fullycharged

thescanner will runforthe duration below.These timeswillwary depending onthedisplay option used.

Easi-Scaninternalbattery 3hours• EasiscanwithPowerpackSingleLatched 5hours• EasiscanwithPowerpackDualLatched 7hours•

ScannerruntimemayapproachdoublethisdurationusingAutostandbyfeature.

Electricalconnectiontothepowerpackisthroughthegoldpadsonbatteryandscanner. Power pack

outputisprotectedwitharesettingfusebutcareshouldbetakentopreventshortcircuitingthegold

connectorpinsandpads.BatterymeteringonboththescannerandPowerpackaccessoryrelieson

internalcalculation.Repeatedcyclingwithoutcompletedischargeorchargecompletionwillresultin

increasinglyinaccuratebatterylevelindication.Forpeakperformance,andformostaccuratebattery

meterindication,batteriesshouldoccasionallyberunﬂatfollowedbyacompletechargecycle.

2.3 EASI-SCAN PROBE

Whileeveryattempthasbeenmadetomaketheprobeasruggedaspossiblethecrystalarrayremains

vulnerableandshouldbeprotectedfromknocks.Evenasmallknockagainstahardobjectcancause

damagetotheprobeelementssituatedbehindthethinrubbercoatingontheprobeface.Theprobehas

aprotectivesheathcoveringthelengthofcablesubjecttogreatestwearandﬂexing.Anydamagetothis

sheathortherestofthecableshouldberepairedbeforefurtherusetopreventmoistureingressthatwill

rapidlydamagetheprobe.Theprobeshouldbecheckedregularlyforsuchdamage.

Gels

UseonlygelsrecommendedbyBCFTechnology Ltd. Do not store the probe in gel.

Cleaning

Theprobemaybecleanedbyremovingallorganic/proteinresidueanddisinfectingusinganIPAor

10%bleachwipe.DonotsoaktransducerinIPAorbleach.

Storage

Cleananddrytheprobeheadpriortostorageindrylocation.Donotstorethetransduceringels

orcleaning/disinfectingsolutions.Thiswillleadtoprematuredeteriorationoftransducermaterials.

Warning: Never sterilize the transducer with autoclave, ultraviolet, gamma radiation, gas,

steam or heat sterilization techniques. Severe damage will result.

Donotexposethetransducertomaterialscontainingthefollowingagents:

Acetone• Methanol• Mineraloil• Iodine• Freon• Industrialcleaners• Materialscontainingperfumes(lotions,gels,etc.)•

Transducers must not be soaked in alcohol, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide.

Accessories

Batterypack

Carrybag

Introducer

Wirelessmonitor

BUGs

Carrycase

Stand-alonecharger

Wrist-mountLCD display

Technical Speciﬁcation

Rechargeable Digital Ultrasound scanner with ﬁxed probe

Size22cmx15cmx5.5cm

Weight1.5kg

MechanicalWaterproof,rugged plastic casing. Sealed to IP65

UserOperationSealed4buttonkeypadwithLED

User functions

Selectionofoperatingmodesoptimisedto• application,automaticallysettingsuitable

range,frequency&postprocessing

e.g.dynamicrange,edgeenhancement

Earlypregnancy/ovary• Laterpregnancy• Detail• OverallGainadjustable• Imagefreeze• Foetalageingreference• Follicleautosizing• Imagestoreandreviewwithﬁlenameentry• bykeypaneloroverBluetooth

User output

WaterproofUser connector provides power

andselectablesignaloutput

CompositeNTSCvideoformatfordisplay• headsetVideoreview or Videoprinter

accessoriesusingadapterlead(accessory)

DigitalVideoout (proprietary format)• forwristdisplay(accessory)

USBPCconnectionusingadapterlead• (accessory)

Power output

5V@250mAmax.

Storage

100imageswithuserenteredimageﬁleidentity

Storedonnon-volatileinternalﬂashmemory