Rencheng Repair Case: GE LOGIQ9 Ultrasound Failure Case Analysis

Machine Type: GE Color Doppler Ultrasound Diagnostic System

Machine Model: GE Logiq 9

1. Failure Phenomenon

After starting, the GE Logiq9 ultrasound machine displays a blue screen with the message "***STOP 0x0000001E***"… The blue screen error code is variable. Sometimes, forcibly shutting down and restarting the machine allows normal use, while other times it is ineffective. The machine also experiences blue screen crashes during use.

2. Failure Analysis

Since the machine's computer platform is Windows, the blue screen error is primarily related to the Windows software and the computer hardware it relies on. If the circuit boards related to ultrasound formation malfunction, they usually display specific error codes and do not show a blue screen background. For this failure, the first consideration should be an internal computer problem, i.e., system software error or hard disk damage. By removing the hard disk and using efficiency source software to check it, some bad sectors were found on the hard disk.

3. Troubleshooting

After replacing the hard disk and reinstalling the system, the machine can be used normally.

4. Repair Summary

The hard disk in the GE Logiq9 ultrasound computer contains the operating system and application software. The most important and fundamental operating system (OS) controls all computer programs and manages all computer resources; it is the bridge between the computer's hardware and applications and users. If the software is damaged or crashes, the machine will not function.

1. Failure Phenomenon

Dark lines appear in the ultrasound image. There is one dark line on the ultrasound image of the GE Logiq9 ultrasound machine, with no echo signal in the dark line area. Moving the probe does not change the position of the dark line, which remains fixed.

2. Failure Analysis

After applying coupling agent and scanning, the edges of the dark line in the image are more obvious. According to the principles of ultrasound image formation and the structure of the ultrasound machine, the cause of the failure may be a problem with the corresponding probe chip or channel. Testing with different probes revealed similar dark lines on each probe. The probability of all probes having simultaneous chip damage is low, so probe damage can be ruled out, and the fault may be in the corresponding channel board. The GE Logiq9 ultrasound has 8 channel boards at the front end, performing the corresponding ultrasound transmission and reception and A/D conversion. The 8 channel boards correspond to different probe channels, and each board handles 24 channels. The corresponding dark line position is marked on the monitor image. After powering off, the channel boards are swapped. When the 4th channel board is swapped, the corresponding dark line position on the image moves. A cross-check using another channel board with the 4th channel board identifies the fault in the 4th channel board.

3. Troubleshooting

After replacing the 4th channel board, the machine returned to normal operation.

4. Repair Summary

Modern high-end ultrasound signal processing channel boards typically have 2, 4, or even 8 boards. These channel boards are identical. When a dark shadow appears in the image, the positions of the channel boards can be changed to diagnose the problem and accurately locate the faulty component.