Ultrasound Scanner Training

20/08/2024

Thanks to Sinead and the team at Ark Veterinary Centre in Ewell for welcoming me to their surgery for a great training session in their Esaote MyLab scanner. We went through the controls and how to best optimise the image in B Mode, M Mode and Colour before having a practical session in both abdominal and cardiac imaging. The vets were getting some great cardiac views in both long and short axis and by the end of the session were able to fine tune colour to monitor the cardiac bloodflow.

Even if you have been using ultrasound for a while, it's still worth learning more about the controls of your ultrasound scanner and unlocking it's true potential. Too many surgeries aren't getting the most out of their equipment, one of the comments I keep hearing is 'I never knew our scanner could do that'. One of our sessions could help you to understand your scanner and allow you to confidently use more of its features to assist with an accurate diagnosis.

For more information, or to book a session visit www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk or email [email protected] We train on all makes and models of scanners and cover the whole of the UK

11/06/2024

It's been a busy wee while lately, with multiple training sessions at Willows Vet Hospital in Hartford, Northwich. Really great groups which resulted in fun, interactive sessions with some great feedback...

"Incredibly helpful, I had no idea how much better we could utilise our machine. This is as important as learning the actual scanning technique on a practical scanning cpd day! "

"Excellent tuition! Very informative for everyday practical use of our machine"

"Very good. Learnt about features that we never knew our Ultrasound machine had!"

Thanks to everyone who made me feel so welcome at the hospital and making the days so enjoyable. Visit www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk if you feel you need help to drive your ultrasound scanner, optimise the images and get the most out of it.

08/05/2024

Ultrasound Scanner Training were out and about last week carrying out training at the Watkins & Tasker Veterinary Group sites in Portishead, Yatton & Nailsea. Brilliant, interactive sessions with the vets, who were all keen to learn how to use and get the best out of their Esaote MyLab and SIUI Healthcare scanners.

Some very kind words from Group Medical Lead, Mario Amaral, 'It was a very good CPD, highly recommend it. Fraser's knowledge and friendly approach helped me, and my team get the most out of our ultrasound machine, helping us optimise image quality, and even showing us some new features I wasn't aware our machine could do. This course helped me put into practice the clinical knowledge I've gained through my small animal diagnostic imaging certificate, by using our ultrasound machine to its full potential. As I said at one point "life changing". Very useful and practical.'

To book a training session for your surgery, call 07795322354 or email [email protected]. Head to our website for further information on the services provided https://ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk/services/


Cheers

25/04/2024

Ultrasound Scanner Training were at The Pet Vet in Rotherham, a great day showing the vets how to get to grips with the controls on their Philips IE33 scanner. The system has microconvex and phased array probes and although it's possible to do some basic cardiology with a microconvex probe, it's always better to have the correct tools for the job and a phased array probe make such a difference to your cardiac imaging. A phased array probe will also utilise some imaging modes on your scanner that abdominal probes don't, such as Continuous Wave Doppler and Tissue Doppler Imaging.

If you're looking for some training on your scanner, or for advice on which probes to get to increase the flexibility of your system, call 07795322354, or email [email protected]. Our website also has a host of hints and tip about driving your scanner https://ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk/blog/

18/03/2024

Ultrasound Scanner Training carried out another great training session for Willows vet Group, this time with the vets at Holly House Vets In Knutsford. We spent the session explaining the principles of ultrasound and covering the controls in B/2D mode, M mode and colour Doppler on their Esaote MyLab X5 scanner, providing a clear understanding and allowing the vets to optimise the image effectively.

To book a training session for your surgery, call 07795322354 or email [email protected]. Head to our website for further information on the services provided ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk/services/

12/03/2024

Brilliant training session at Toll Barn Veterinary Centre Limited in North Walsham recently, Faye and the team made me so welcome, it really is a pleasure to be doing this job. Some really nice words from them too afterwards.

08/03/2024

Ultrasound Scanner Training had a brilliant day training the vets at Beech House Vets and Laurels Vets, part of the Willows Vet group, earlier this week on their GE Logiq E and Esaote MyLab series scanners. It's great seeing that moment when there's an understanding of how to get more out of their equipment and no longer wondering 'what does that button do?' Loads of smiling faces and a great atmosphere makes teaching vets how to drive their scanners so rewarding.

If you have any questions about any of the controls or settings on your scanner, how to optimise the image or to book a training session, please get in touch. Call me on 07795322354 or email [email protected]. Head to our other blog pages for further information, hints and tips at https://ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk/blog/

19/02/2024

Ultrasound Scanner Training recently visited Connaught House Vets in Kingswinford to carry out a training session for the team on their Philips IU22 and GE logiq E scanners. A really enojoyable and interactive session covering the basic principles of ultrasound, B-Mode, M-Mode and Colour doppler imaging was followed by a practical session where we put everything into practice........It wont be long before we can do a more advanced session!

If you would like to discuss 'driving lessons' for your ultrasound scanner, please email me on [email protected] or call me on 07795322354, alternatively visit our website www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk and see what we can offer you.

16/01/2024

Brilliant training session at Seren Vets in Carmarthen, great fun. Thanks for your testimonial. If you're looking for lessons on driving your ultrasound scanner please get in touch by email at [email protected] or call us on 07795322354. More information available at www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk

05/01/2024

A Highland Fling

Ultrasound Scanner Training had a great end to the year with an enjoyable drive through the stunning scenery of Rannoch Moor and Glencoe, (with the obligatory stop for breakfast at the Green Welly Stop) for our final training visit of 2023 at Ben Nevis Vets in Caol, Fort William. A really warm welcome from the surgery was followed by a relaxed and interactive training session with all the vets on their Sonoscape P20 scanner. We went through the basic principles and spent time explaining image optimisation in B-mode, followed by sessions with Colour Doppler and M-Mode and ending the day with a practical session putting everything into practice.

Feedback from Kenny Lang BVM&S PGCert(SAS) MRCVS, Co-Director of the practice was great, “Our recent in-practice training day with Fraser was a great success and very well-received by all our vets and vet-student too. He clearly has a lot of experience and knowledge and his easy-going manner, patience and persistence meant the time passed quickly and we were all happily absorbed in listening, learning and doing. We will definitely have Fraser back again next year to help to improve the service we can offer to our clients and the satisfaction we get from not just doing it, but doing it better!”

If you have any questions about any of the controls or settings on your scanner, how to optimise the image or to book a training session, please get in touch. Call me on 07795322354 or email [email protected]. Head to our other blog pages for further information, hints and tips https://ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk/blog/

08/12/2023

Another great testimonial, this time from Sutton in Ashfield, where we carried out a training session with the vets, showing them how to get the best out of their ultrasound scanner in various imaging modes

For hints and tips on getting the most out of your scanner visit the blog page on my webiste www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk/blog/

14/11/2023

Ultrasound scanner Training recently visited the Sutton in Ashfield branch of Vets4Pets to carry out a scanner training session with the team. A really warm welcome from all the staff at the surgery was followed by a great session teaching the vets and nurses how to get to grips with the controls for B Mode, M Mode and Colour Doppler on their Esaote MyLab Six scanner. At the end of the day everyone was starting to use more of the controls with confidence and were becoming proficient in optimising the image.

If you have any questions about any of the controls or settings on your scanner or need advice on how to optimise the image, please get in touch. Drop me an email [email protected] or call me on 07795322354, I’m always happy to chat and answer your questions. See more hints and tips at www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk

07/11/2023

Seren Vets Ultrasound Scanner Training

Ultrasound Scanner Training recently made the pilgrimage to South Wales to visit Seren Vets in Carmarthen, a superb modern independent surgery set up by Katy Peak and Kevin Jones which opened its doors in November 2022. The surgery have a Sonoscape P50 Elite colour doppler scanner with a range of probes and it was a pleasure to carry out a training session on the scanner with the vets at the site, a great team who helped make the session fun. Thanks also for the cakes and coffee! For more information about Seren Vets, have a look at their website www.serenvets.co.uk

If you have any questions about any of the controls or settings on your scanner or need advice on how to optimise the image, please get in touch. Drop me an email [email protected] or call me on 07795322354, I’m always happy to chat and answer your questions. See more hints and tips at www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk

01/11/2023

Using Anatomical M-Mode

Just a quick tip this time. Many ultrasound users trying some basic cardiology and starting to use M-mode for fractional shortening calculations often struggle to get the correct orientation of the heart in short axis to allow you to get the M-mode line to drop nicely between the papillary muscles. Very often the heart is rotated slightly meaning the M-mode line is never in the right position, resulting in inaccurate calculations. On many scanners there is a solution, although it would be better to try to align the heart correctly when possible…

Anatomic M-Mode or AMM allows you to move the rotation point and angle of the M-mode line to allow you to ‘fit' it in the correct position between the papillary muscles. Firstly, it's very important to make sure the short axis view of the left ventricle (LV) is at the correct level and that it's nice and round. If you can see the white dots of the chordae tendinae at the tip of the papillary muscle you are pretty much at the correct level, if you can only see one papillary muscle correctly or the LV is oval you may need to rotate your probe ever so slightly to make the LV round and make both papillary muscles visible.

Switch on normal M-Mode and use your trackerball to position the ‘blob' on the M-mode line into the centre of the LV, use the AMM angle control on your scanner to rotate the M-mode line until it's in the required position. Be aware, the more angle correction you apply the ‘fuzzier' the M-mode trace will appear, your scanner will also have a limit of AMM angle that can be applied. You can still take relevant cardiac measurements using the analysis package on your scanner and the calculations will be correct as they take into account the AMM angle being applied.

If you have any questions about any of the controls or settings on your scanner and how to optimise the image please get in touch. Drop me an email [email protected] or call me on 07795 322354, I'm always happy to chat and answer your questions. Visit www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk for more hints and tips.

27/10/2023

QMS Veterinary now have the fantastic new SIUI Healthcare V75 scanner available in the UK. Utilising the new Realview+ user interface the V75 is a feature packed yet easy to use scanner offering superb image quality and value for money, for more information on the scanner click the link https://www.qms-vet.com/products/siui-v75 . To celebrate being announced as a new Siui Distributor QMS Veterinary will be offering special introductory offers on their range of Siui scanners over the next couple of months. Be sure to get in touch with them by email at [email protected] or call them on 01981 433117

17/10/2023

We're getting more and more great feedback about our ultrasound scanner 'driving lesson' sessions, here's one from my visit to Woolton Vets in Liverpool last week. Call me on 07795322354 or visit www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk and see what we can offer you.

12/10/2023

Another day, another training visit! This time Ultrasound Scanner Training visited Woolton Vets in Liverpool, a fantastic independent surgery run by Sarah and Alex McVey who have owned the practice since 2018. We held separate sessions tailored for the vets and a shorter more basic session for the nurses, on their portable colour doppler Siui CTS1000 Neo scanner. It was great training such an interactive team who really were keen to learn about using their scanner correctly to get the most out of it and increase their skills.

If you have any questions about any of the controls or settings on your scanner, how to optimise the image or even if you are looking for advice on the purchase of additional probes to increase the flexibility of your system, please get in touch. Drop me an email [email protected] or call me on 07795322354, I’m always happy to chat and answer your questions. See more hints and tips at www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk

09/10/2023

Some feedback already from one of my visits last week. Always great to get messages like this on a Monday morning, gives a positive vibe for the week ahead! Call me on 07795322354 or visit www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk and see what we can offer you.

06/10/2023

Willows Vet Group Training Sessions

Ultrasound Scanner Training have recently carried out a series of training sessions for vets at various surgeries across the Willows Vets Group. The sites had a variety of scanners, some with Esaote systems including the MyLab X5 and MyLab Sigma and others having Sonoscape, Mindray and Chison units. Quite a varied mix of equipment, but one thing in common at all of the sites was the vets’ enthusiasm to learn more about how to drive their scanners, get the best out of them and gain confidence in scanning. It was a very busy but enjoyable few days and great to see users start to understand the controls and how to use them. Thanks to all the staff at each of the surgeries for making me feel so welcome and the continuous supply of coffee throughout, really hope to be back again for more advanced driving lessons.

If you have any questions about any of the controls or settings on your scanner, how to optimise the image or even if you are looking for advice on the purchase of additional probes to increase the flexibility of your system, please get in touch. Drop me an email [email protected] or call me on 07795322354, I’m always happy to chat and answer your questions. See more hints and tips at www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk

14/09/2023

How many shades of grey....adjusting your dynamic range.

After the 4 fundamental adjustments you make to your ultrasound image (depth, focus, frequency and gain), there is another control which can potentially change your image quite dramatically and very quickly. It’s called Dynamic Range (DR). OK, so a little bit of theory. Ultrasound, as the name suggests, utilises sound which is converted by the scanner to build your image and we know that different structures within the body will attenuate the sound waves and signal strengths differently. This is how we can tell the differences between different tissues, structures and organs. Sometimes, however, the difference between structures or tissues might just be too subtle and we need to add a little bit of contrast to an image to make things appear more obvious. This is where Dynamic Range can help us.

OK, here’s the basic rule of thumb:

• Higher Dynamic Range = more shades of grey = softer image

• Lower Dynamic Range = less shades of grey = more contrasty image, which looks ‘sharper’

Turning the DR down will make your image more contrasty and turning it up will have the opposite effect, the image will get softer.

You will see in the example, the image on the left is very ‘contrasty’ and the vascular structures are clearer. This has a DR setting of 54dB. The image on the right is ‘softer’ with a DR of 96dB and is potentially better for the soft tissue, but your do need to be careful not to increase the DR too much or the image starts to look vague and ‘washed out’.

For a more expanded explanation about Dynamic range please visit the blog on my website https://ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk/how-many-shades-of-grey-adjusting-your-dynamic-range/

If you have any questions about any of the controls or settings on your scanner, how to optimise the image or even if you are looking for advice on the purchase of additional probes to increase the flexibility of your system, please get in touch. Drop me an email at [email protected] or call me on 07795322354, I’m always happy to chat and answer your questions.

After the 4 fundamental adjustments you make to your ultrasound image (depth, focus, frequency and gain), there is another...

11/09/2023

QMS Veterinary currently have two superb GE Logiq systems available from stock, an S7 Expert and an S8, both with the XD Clear function allowing them to run the ‘single crystal’ type probes as well as the standard range of probes. These systems are superb value, compact ‘shared services’ units that would serve well in the modern veterinary environment allowing all types of scans from detailed small parts studies, through abdominal imaging to cardiac cases.

These systems are easy to operate yet feature a huge range of high end technologies allowing the user to get the best possible image quality with the minimum of fuss. Coupled with system training and a full parts and labour warranty from QMS, these could be the ideal imaging partners for your surgery. For more information on these brilliant systems contact Fraser Yule at QMS at [email protected] or call 077955322354.

As well as a range of Ultrasound scanners, QMS also specialise in CT and MRI solutions, contact us for further details or visit www.qms-vet.com

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06/09/2023

Thought I would share some news...

I’m excited to announce that as well as running Ultrasound Scanner Training I have taken on a new role as Veterinary Sales Director at Quality Medical Services Ltd (QMS). In early 2023, having worked in the veterinary industry for over 25 years, initially with Dynamic Imaging in Livingston and most recently with MIUS in Gloucester, I decided it was time to set up my own company, Ultrasound Scanner Training Ltd. This has proven to be a great decision for me personally. However, I simply couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to work with such a good team at QMS, offering back to roots, value for money quality imaging solutions to the veterinary market in the UK. Don’t worry, I’ll be keeping the ultrasound training company running too but gradually it will be aligned with QMS as we look to develop and establish more services.

QMS was set up in 2023 by Trevor Howard, who was for over 20 years the Managing Director at MIUS, Trevor has pulled a great team together all with the same positive outlook and an aim to provide a back to basics approach both from a sales and service perspective, listening to customer’s requirements and providing relevant solutions. Operating from their new custom built showroom and services facilities in Longhope, Gloucetershire, QMS cover the whole of the UK and can offer fast delivery of equipment plus rapid response for their service and maintenance customers.

QMS offer new and refurbished imaging equipment, with an expanding portfolio including Ultrasound, Fluoroscopy, CT and MRI. With the larger equipment such as CT and MRI, as well as providing surgery based installations, they offer relocatable options both for sale plus short and long term rental, making the equipment a viable proposition without the huge initial financial outlay. All of the equipment coming with full training for your team, technical support and warranties, with ongoing service plans available for further peace of mind.

I’m really looking forward to meeting with old friends and new customers alike and discussing how QMS could help you and your team. QMS will be at various shows throughout the rest of 2023 including the VCS Annual Congress and London Vet Show in November. It would be great to see you there, however, if you’re not coming to any of the shows please feel free to visit our website qms-vet.com, contact us by email on [email protected] or by phone at our Longhope offices on 01981433117 or myself directly on 07795322354

16/08/2023

Thought I would share another testimonial from a client after a training session, always love getting positive feedback from my clients.

If you would like to get driving lessons on your ultrasound equipment for your team visit www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk, or conatact me at [email protected] or 07795 322354

28/07/2023

Ultrasound Scanner Training recently visited Belle Vue Vets in Cumbria to carry out training sessions over two days on their new Sonoscape ProPet 60 scanner. We carried out a couple of tailored sessions on each day, one for vets with more experience of ultrasound allowing them to carry out more advanced scans utilising the feature set of their new scanner, plus a second session designed to provide confidence for those new to ultrasound, allowing them to get to grips with the basics of scanning and covering the main controls of the scanner. A really great day at a fantastic and friendly surgery, one of the vets even commented that ‘this has been the best CPD that they’ve had’.

If your team is looking to learn more about how to 'drive' their ultrasound scanner, then please visit www.ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk for further information and to book a session, alternatively email [email protected] or call 07795 322354.

24/07/2023

Looking after your Frame Rates

The frame rate that you use when scanning will have an effect on the image attained. Depending on how wriggly the patient is or if they are panting, too slow a frame rate will potentially result in a blurred looking image, too high a frame rate and you could be losing out on image quality. Frame rate is an important consideration in all scans and should be tailored to suit the scan being carried out, ie abdominal or cardiac

There are a few ways of adjusting the frame rate:

The simplest is to adjust the depth you are scanning at, if you are looking deep into the body the frame rate will be quite low(measured in Hz on the scanner), reducing the depth being scanned (as long as you can still see the structure of interest) should increase the frame rate. To allow you to image a structure at a reduced depth you may need to move the probe so that the structure you are scanning lies closer to the probe, this has other advantages too, you will be able to use a higher frequency potentially providing a better image.

Decrease the size of the sector width, or, how wide the image is, most scanners will have a control on to allow this. If the frame rate is too low, make the sector narrower. Some scanners will also allow you to change the angle of the narrowed sector too.

A third option is a little more involved and depending on the make of system you use this is the persistence or correlation, although adjusting this will not change the frame rate, it will give the illusion of doing so. Images with high persistence can look ‘blurred’. If this is the case, reduce the persistance and the image should seem to ‘speed up’. This is useful to keep up with the animals breathing, panting or other movements. Be careful though as reducing it too low can make the image look quite coarse.

At the end of the day adjusting the frame rate is a bit of a balancing act. Try a combination of adjustments and see what happens to the image. If you have a really fast frame rate, the chances are you’ll not be able to see all the frames at full speed, use cine loop and slow the review speed down, you’ll start to see all of the frames and more detail too. This is a great function in cardiology. When using colour doppler try to keep the size of the colour box or ‘RoI’ sensible, if its big the frames rates will be lower, in the example image you can see that I’ve kept the colour box only around the area to be sampled and the frame rate is quite good at 24Hz (shown in the scan information at top left of image).

For more information and guidance on how you can start understanding more about driving your ultrasound scanner and getting the best out of it, visit ultrasoundscannertraining.co.uk or email [email protected] to arrange a training session.