DD IEC/TS 62558:2011

What is DD IEC/TS 62558- Real-time pulse-echo scanners about? 

DD IEC/TS 62558 is an international standard that covers the use of ultrasonics for various applications. 

DD IEC/TS 62558 specifies the essential characteristics of a phantom and the method for the measurement of the void-detectability ratio for medical ultrasound systems and related transducers. DD IEC/TS 62558 is restricted to the aspect of long-term reproducibility of testing results. 

DD IEC/TS 62558 establishes: 

• Important characteristics and requirements for a TMM 3D artificial cyst phantom using anechoic voids 

• A design example of a 3D artificial cyst phantom, the necessary test equipment, and use of relevant computer software algorithms 

DD IEC/TS 62558 is currently applicable for linear array transducers. A uniformity test prior to void-detectability ratio (VDR) measurement is recommended. 

Note: The basic concept of the 3D artificial-cyst phantom may also be valid for other types of ultrasound transducers; however, there is a need for further verification (see Annex D). 

Who is DD IEC/TS 62558- Real-time pulse-echo scanners for?  

DD IEC/TS 62558 on Real-time pulse-echo scanners is relevant to: 

• Manufacturers of ultrasonic equipment 
• Manufacturers of real-time pulse-echo scanners 
• Manufacturers of ultrasound transducers 
• Manufacturers of measurement equipment for the VDR measurement 
• Testing authorities  
• Pulse-echo ultrasonic testing authorities 
• Medical personnel 

Why should you use DD IEC/TS 62558- Real-time pulse-echo scanners? 

Medical diagnostic ultrasound systems and related transducers need periodic testing as the quality of medical decisions based on ultrasonic images may decrease over time due to progressive degradation of essential systems characteristics. The TMM phantom is intended to be used to measure and, to enable documentation of changes in the void-detectability ratio in periodic tests over years of use. 

DD IEC/TS 62558 describes desirable specifications and performance characteristics of a tissue-mimicking material (TMM) 3D artificial-cyst phantom used for the real-time pulse-echo scanners. DD IEC/TS 62558 includes the design of a realized and conforming phantom along with an example. DD IEC/TS 62558 describes the results, independent of applied electronic and design architecture of diagnostic ultrasound systems and related transducers, which is suitable for testing with the phantom. DD IEC/TS 62558 allows measurement along all three axes of the ultrasonic beam (axial, azimuthal and elevation) to determine the void-detectability ratio depending on the depth in the image generated from a transducer. The measurement of void detectability ratio quantifies the diagnostic ultrasound system’s ability to accurately represent these objects.  

DD IEC/TS 62558 gives a measurement procedure that allows a reliable and reproducible determination of visibility limits of small voids, an important image parameter of an ultrasound diagnostic system over the time of use.