Unlike traditional ultrasound with piezoelectric crystals, the Butterfly probe uses ultrasound on a chip as well as a battery within the probe.
It is expected for the probe to generate heat during scanning and charging. Some presets use more power than others and you may experience a temperature increase over a shorter duration.
Factors that can affect the heat of the probe are:
- Ambient environment
- Probe temperature at the start of scanning
- Duration of uninterrupted scan time
- Duration of resting periods between scans
- Type of preset selected
- Auto-cool initiation feature.
Operating Temperature
In accordance with the instructions for use, the operating temperature should be between 5°C to 39°C (41°F – 102.2°F). To ensure patient safety the system limits patient contact temperature and will not scan when the contact temperature is at or above 43°C (109°F).
Probe Temperature Alert
An alert is displayed on the bottom of the screen when the estimated probe temperature reaches 41.5°C as it becomes too warm for scanning.
You can continue scanning during this warning message until the probe reaches the auto-cool initiation.
The auto-cool initiation is triggered at 43°C to ensure patient/user safety and optimal performance. The Butterfly app will continue to be accessible while the auto-cool feature is in progress. The in progress study collateral (images and videos) will not be impacted.
Scanning can resume after the auto-cool feature has reduced the estimated probe temperature to 38.5°C.
Expected Scan Time
Expected uninterrupted scan time in a high-power preset depends on your probe model, it is approximately 10-25 minutes when you start scanning with the probe at ambient temperature (~25°C). On the iQ/iQ+/iQ+ Vet/iQ3, if you remove the probe from the charging pad before or immediately after charging is complete, it is recommended that the probe is allowed time to cool before use.
Starting a scanning session with a cool probe will optimize scan time performance.
Probe Temperature During Charging
It is normal that the probe may feel warm to the touch while charging, especially on the iQ/iQ+/iQ Vet/iQ+ Vet, which uses wireless charging that is known to create heat during the charging process. On the iQ/iQ+/iQ Vet/iQ+ Vet, if you feel the probe is overheating during charging, review best practices for probe orientation based on the charger model. Positioning the probe on the charging pad incorrectly can increase the temperature of the probe while charging.
Not all presets and imaging modes are available everywhere. Check for the availability in your country.