ProbeHunterQuality Assurance ofUltrasound Probes
The Hidden Risk
A Critical Gap in
Patient Safety
Without objective, independent testing, defective probes remain in clinical use, putting patients at risk every day.
35–40% of Probes Are Defective
Hospital databases confirm that 35 to 40 percent of probes in non-tested environments carry measurable defects that compromise diagnostic accuracy.
Defects Are Often Invisible
Dead elements, early-stage lens delamination, and intermittent cable faults do not produce visible artifacts in standard 2D imaging.
Doppler and Advanced Modes Fail First
Probe degradation disproportionately impacts Doppler, Color Flow, and advanced modalities, the modes most critical for complex diagnostics.
These findings are based on hospital databases, Nordic clinical experience, and collaboration with KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
Clinical Decision Support
Immediate Go / No-Go
Test Results
Every test delivers an immediate, unambiguous result. No interpretation required. No reliance on subjective image quality.
Critical failure detected. The probe must not be used. Repair or replacement required.
Performance degradation detected. Monitoring or preventive maintenance required.
Probe performing within validated parameters. Cleared for clinical use.
40%
Probes Found Defective
In non-tested hospitals
10,000+
Probes Tested
In daily hospital use
10+
OEM Brands Supported
Multi-brand platform
100%
Test Traceability
Every test documented
Why ProbeHunter
Evidence-Based Quality Assurance
for Critical Equipment
Patient Safety First
35 to 40 percent of probes in non-tested hospitals are defective. ProbeHunter validates every probe before patient use with a clear Go or No-Go decision.
Real-Time Dynamic Testing
Dynamic testing under real operating conditions, addressing all active elements simultaneously. Detects failures that static measurements cannot reveal.
Multi-Brand Independence
One platform for GE, Philips, Siemens, Samsung, Mindray, Hitachi, Canon, SonoSite, Zonare, and more. Validates performance at the source, independent of the scanner.
Traceable Documentation
Every test generates a standardized, traceable report supporting regulatory compliance, quality audits, and evidence-based maintenance decisions.
Three Steps to
Clinical Confidence
Connect
Plug the probe directly into ProbeHunter using an OEM-specific adapter. Testing is performed independently of the ultrasound scanner.
Test
Dynamic testing across all transducer elements in real time, validating Imaging, Color Flow, Pulsed Doppler, CW Doppler, and Elastography.
Decide
Receive an immediate Go or No-Go result with a traceable report. No subjective interpretation, just clear, actionable outcomes.
Detection Capabilities
What ProbeHunter Detects
Failures often invisible in 2D imaging that severely impact advanced modalities and compromise patient safety.
Cable and Connector Failures
Intermittent or permanent cable defects causing signal loss, often invisible during routine scanning but measurable with ProbeHunter.
Acoustic Lens Delamination
A direct patient safety risk including potential thermal injury during prolonged scanning procedures.
Performance Degradation
Subtle changes over time not visible on clinical 2D images. Doppler and Color Flow modes are most affected.
Strain Relief Problems
Mechanical stress damage at the cable entry point, a common failure mode from daily clinical handling.
Validation and Research
Evidence-Based
Quality Assurance
ProbeHunter is supported by more than 12 years of clinical use, long-term hospital testing programs, university collaborations, and peer-reviewed research.
12+ Years
Clinical Use and Research
KTH
University Collaboration
<12%
Defect Rate with Regular Testing
Research and Clinical Studies
Who We Serve
Trusted Across the
Ultrasound Ecosystem
Hospitals and Clinics
Preventive maintenance programs that verify probe performance before patient use, supporting accreditation compliance.
Biomedical Engineering
Objective testing tools for in-house teams managing multi-vendor probe fleets across clinical departments.
Universities and Research
Research-grade measurement data for studying transducer performance, failure analysis, and QA methodology.
Repair Laboratories
Precise pre- and post-repair diagnostics with objective data for transparent customer communication.
Multi-Vendor Service Companies
OEM-agnostic testing across all major manufacturers for centralized quality management.
Probe Brokers and Resellers
Objective quality documentation for pre-owned probe transactions, reducing risk in secondary markets.
Three Decades of
Ultrasound Expertise
BBS Medical AB is a Swedish medical technology company with more than 30 years of ultrasound expertise. Founded by Ann-Christiné and Björn Segall, the company is the pioneer of ultrasound probe testing education in Scandinavia and an independent voice in quality assurance.
BBS Medical has built one of the world's largest ultrasound probe test databases, providing unmatched insight into probe failure patterns and performance benchmarks. ProbeHunter is trusted by hospitals, universities, and service providers in over 50 countries worldwide.
Advanced ultrasound probe quality assurance technology by BBS Medical AB. Ensuring patient safety through precision testing.