MODULE 1

INTRODUCTION TO ASPEN™ ULTRASOUND

SYSTEMS

The Aspen™ Ultrasound System 1-3

System Requirements 1-4
Environmental Requirements 1-4
System Characteristics 1-4
Electrical Safety and EMC Requirements 1-4
Reviewing Electrical Requirements 1-5
Instrument Input Power Rating 1-6
Isolated Accessory Outlets 1-6
Leakage Current Limits 1-7
System Circuit Breakers 1-7
Front Panel Connectors 1-9
Basic Precautions 1-11
Module 1 - Introduction to Aspen™ Ultrasound Systems Acuson Confidential

REVISION HISTORY

QRC P/N-REVISION INITIATOR APPROVAL DATE CHANGE

08699 49882 Rev. 1 J. Koeper S. Williams 10/22/96 Initial Release of the whole Manual

A3174 P/N 49882 Rev. 2 J. Madarasz S. Williams Dec. 2000 Incorporate reviewer comments

Module 1-2 Aspen Service Training Manual P/N 49882 Rev. 2

Acuson Confidential The Aspen™ Ultrasound System

THE ASPEN™ ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

The Aspen™ Ultrasound system is a mobile, self-contained
ultrasound system, specifically designed for diagnostic medical
applications. The system design is based on the use of modular
printed circuit boards (PCBs) and subassemblies, known as field
replaceable units (FRUs). This modular structure greatly simplifies
on-site service and repair. No post-delivery adjustments or
calibrations are required for equipment operation. In most cases,
on-site maintenance is accomplished by removing and replacing
FRUs.
This manual supports both Aspen and Aspen Advanced systems.
Unless specifically noted, all references to the Aspen system include
both Aspen and Aspen Advanced systems.

WARNING! The U.S. Government Food and Drug Administration restricts this
device to use by or on order of a physician.

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Module 1 - Introduction to Aspen™ Ultrasound Systems Acuson Confidential

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL The Aspen system is a stable, rugged device; however, it should
REQUIREMENTS receive the care given to any precision instrument. Make sure that
the system environment is free of fumes, dirt, and electrical
interference, e.g., brush-type motors and large fields of RF energy.
The system is designed to operate within the following
environmental limits.
Table 1-1 Aspen System Environmental Limits

ASPEN SYSTEM ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS

Temperature 15° to 33°C, 59° to 90°F

Relative Humidity up to 90% non-condensing

Heat dissipation 5000 BTU per hour

Side Clearance 15.0 cm (6.0 inches)

Rear Clearance 30.0 cm (12 inches)

SYSTEM The system has the following physical characteristics.

CHARACTERISTICS Table 1-2 Aspen System Physical Characteristics

ASPEN SYSTEM PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Height 135.64 cm (53.4 in.)

Depth 116.80 cm (46 in.)

Width 62.90 cm (24.8 in.)

Weight 217 kg (477 lbs.)

Ground Clearance 6.35 cm (2.5 inches)

ELECTRICAL SAFETY This section covers specific electrical and environmental

AND EMC characteristics that determine the facility requirements for the
REQUIREMENTS system. For further information, contact Acuson by calling the
Acuson HelpDesk at 800-922-8766 in the United States. For local
telephone numbers outside the US, refer to the Contacting Acuson
section or the Diagnostics menu on the system.
The Aspen system is classified in accordance with the system
standard IEC 601-1 as follows.
Table 1-3 Aspen System Electrical Safety Classifications

STANDARD IEC 601-1

Type of protection against electrical shock Class I

Degree of protection against electrical shock Type BF

Degree of protection against ingress of water Ordinary

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Acuson Confidential System Requirements

WARNING! Accessory equipment connected to the analog and digital interfaces

must be certified according to the respective IEC standards (IEC 950 for
data processing equipment and IEC 601-1 for medical equipment).
Furthermore, all configurations shall comply with the system standard
IEC 601-1-1. Any party who connects additional equipment to the
signal input part or signal output part is considered to be configuring a
medical system, and is therefore responsible for ensuring that the
system complies with the requirements of the system standard IEC 601-
1-1. For additional information, contact the Acuson Customer Engineer
by calling the Acuson HelpDesk at 800-922-8766 in the United States, or
refer to the Contacting Acuson section of this manual or the Diagnostics
Menu on the system for local telephone numbers outside the US.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for medical devices to IEC 601-1-2:1993 (EN60601-1-2:1994) or
the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 89/336/EEC. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a typical medical installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to other devices in the vicinity.
There is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
fashion. If this equipment causes harmful interference to other
devices, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try one or more of the following
corrective measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving device.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the
device(s).
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a different circuit from
the other device(s).
• Consult the manufacturer or field service technician for help on
other devices.

REVIEWING Acuson produces systems that operate with AC line voltages of 100,
ELECTRICAL 115, and 230VAC. The nameplate on the back of the system
REQUIREMENTS indicates the AC power required for that system. A 115VAC system
usually requires 15-A service. Some equipment options in certain
countries (notably Canada) may require 20-A service, in which case
the system is equipped with a 20-A attachment plug. Most units
configured for 230VAC require 10-A service.
For optimal system performance, use a dedicated, interference-free,
well-grounded wall outlet. The 115VAC Acuson system is equipped
with a hospital-grade attachment plug. To ensure reliable
grounding, connect it to an equivalent hospital-grade socket only.

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Module 1 - Introduction to Aspen™ Ultrasound Systems Acuson Confidential

WARNING! Before having the system installed by an Acuson Customer Engineer,

ensure that the electrical service in the facility is adequate. DO NOT
modify the attachment plug or use an adapter; doing so may overload
the building’s power circuits and/or void the warranty. Using an
extension cord to provide power may cause the system to exceed
leakage current requirements.

INSTRUMENT INPUT The instrument input power rating has been established to clarify
POWER RATING the maximum power requirement of the system with all accessories.
Depending upon the accessories and options installed, the system
may not draw the full amount of power listed on the serial plate.
Table 1-4 shows input power values for various Aspen system input
voltages.
Table 1-4 Aspen System Input Power Values

SYSTEM VOLTAGE MAXIMUM ASPEN ISOLATED ACCESSORY

VAC POWER USAGE, VA POWER AVAILABLE, VA

115V (U.S.) 1380VA 250VA Continuous

1725VA 400VA Intermittent

115V (Canada) 1380VA 350VA

100V (Japan) 1500VA 165VA

230V 1725VA 400VA

ISOLATED The Aspen system has a total of four isolated accessory outlets,
ACCESSORY located on the rear of the system, to provide power to accessories.
OUTLETS They are isolated to protect against chassis leakage currents from
connected accessories. Plug only IEC601-1 or equivalent approved
accessories into these outlets. The system AUX circuit breaker
disconnects power to all four isolated accessory outlets.

WARNING! The total power available is indicated near the outlets and listed in
Table 1-4. Do NOT overload these outlets as overloading can trip the
circuit breaker of the system or the building circuit breakers. Failure to
use isolated outlets for accessories can degrade image quality and
compromise patient safety.

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Acuson Confidential System Requirements

LEAKAGE CURRENT The isolated accessory outlets enable accessories to be connected

LIMITS without increasing the Aspen system leakage current.

WARNING! Connecting accessories powered from non-isolated sources may result

in chassis leakage currents exceeding safe levels.

SYSTEM CIRCUIT The Aspen system has two circuit breakers on the rear of the system
BREAKERS as shown in Figure 1-1. The circuit breakers provide the following
protection.
Table 1-5 Circuit Breaker Functions

TWO CIRCUIT BREAKERS ON REAR OF SYSTEM

MAINS INPUT BREAKER • disconnects all parts of the system

AUX ISOLATED ACCESSORY
OUTLET BREAKER
THREE ISOLATION TRANSFORMER CIRCUIT BREAKERS
from both sides of the mains
• serves as the mains disconnecting
on/off switch
• A portion of the system is energized
whenever the mains input breaker
is on
• disconnects power to isolated
accessory outlets when accessory
outlets are overloaded
• serves as the isolated accessory
outlets disconnecting on/off switch

PRIMARY (ONE ONLY) disconnects input to the isolation

transformer
SECONDARY (TWO) (in series in the secondary) disconnect
the system monitor and the
programmable power supply (PPS)
from the transformer output

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Module 1 - Introduction to Aspen™ Ultrasound Systems Acuson Confidential

Aux Breaker

Mains Breaker

Isolated Accessory
Outlets

Figure 1-1 Circuit Breakers on Rear Panel

The Isolation Transformer Box is located on the bottom of the
system, and is accessible from the left side when the side panels are
removed. The role of the circuit breakers is described in detail in the
Power System Module, in this Manual.

System Monitor
and PPS

PPS only
Transformer
Primary

Figure 1-2 Circuit Breakers on Isolation Transformer Box

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Acuson Confidential Front Panel Connectors

FRONT PANEL CONNECTORS

Physio Module

ECG Module

Headphone
Connector

MP Connector

DL Connector

Inactive Transducer
Ports
Aux CW
Connector
Figure 1-3 Aspen System Front Panel Connectors
*Use only Acuson Aux CW transducers

CONNECTOR LABEL DESCRIPTION INTERFACE CONNECTOR INPUT/ MAX

NAME STANDARD TYPE OUTPUT
VOLTAGE

DL transducer Plug in Acuson DL DL Acuson DL Input/Output +150V

connector transducers Custom Design

Headphone Audio output for use Standard 1/4” Stereo Output ±10V
with headphones Headphone phone

Footswitch (under Footswitch connection 6-pin Jones Input/Output 5V

footrest)

Microphone (on mon- Audio annotation to n/a (built-in Mic) Input 5Vpp
itor) tape
The following are optional:

MP transducer Plug in Acuson MP MP Acuson MP Input/Output +150V

connector transducers Custom Design

AUX CW Acuson Aux CW trans- Proprietary 10-pin circular Input/Output *

ducer
ECG ECG trace AAMI AAMI ECGC Input/Output ±5V
ECGC

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 Module 1 - Introduction to Aspen™ Ultrasound Systems Acuson Confidential

CONNECTOR LABEL DESCRIPTION INTERFACE CONNECTOR INPUT/ MAX

NAME STANDARD TYPE OUTPUT
VOLTAGE

AUX DC input 1/4” Phone Input ±5V

Phono Heartsound trace 1/4” Phone Input ±5V

Pulse/ Respiration Pulse trace 1/4” Phone Input ±5V
Respiratory trace

Module 1-10 Aspen Service Training Manual P/N 49882 Rev. 2

Acuson Confidential Basic Precautions

BASIC PRECAUTIONS
The following safety precautions should be observed when
servicing the Aspen system:

WARNING! Servicing the Aspen system shall only be conducted by an Acuson-

trained Aspen system service provider. Lethal voltages (up to 300VDC)
are present inside the Aspen system. Use caution when opening the
unit. Under certain fault conditions the high voltage bus may remain
charged even when the system is unplugged from the wall outlet.
Furthermore, the operating temperature of some components can cause
burns.

Please consult the User Manual p/n 58233 for proper operation and
use of this system. Also, refer to the Safety Manual for a detailed list
of precautions.

WARNING! The Aspen system employs a software power-on/off circuit. This

means that there are live voltages present in the system even with the
power off. Always unplug the system to perform any cleaning or
maintenance.

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Module 1 - Introduction to Aspen™ Ultrasound Systems Acuson Confidential

Module 1-12 Aspen Service Training Manual P/N 49882 Rev. 2