How To Connect Auxiliary Devices Safely - GE Voluson S6 Basic User Manual

Connections

15.1 How to Connect Auxiliary Devices Safely

15-2
Peripherals, that have been ordered simultaneously with the Voluson® S6/S8, are usually
already mounted and connected. The first mounting and connecting will usually be performed
by a GE system technician.
Basic Concept:
Video Copy Processors (VCP) and Video tape recorders (VTR) are to be connected here as
described in the chapter Connections.
The Voluson® S6/S8 provides several inputs and outputs (I/O) such as Audio, Video,
Ethernet, USB, DICOM and Printer signals. Special care must be taken when connecting
these items to other devices.
The IEC 60601 standard provides a guideline for safely interconnecting medical devices in
systems.
"Equipment connected to the analog or digital interface must comply with the respective
IEC/UL standards (e.g. IEC 60950/UL 60950 for data processing equipment and IEC 60601-1/
UL 60601-1 for medical equipment). Furthermore, all configurations shall comply with IEC
60601. Everybody who connects additional equipment to the signal input portion or signal
output portion configures a medical system, and is therefore responsible that the system
complies with the requirements of IEC 60601. If in doubt, consult the technical service
department or your local representative."
1. The medical device may be connected to a single IEC XXX device (protection class I)
placed in a room which is not medically used.
2. If the device is to be connected in a medically-used room the following rule applies:
•
IEC 60601 compliant devices may be connected as such.
•
IEC XXX compliant devices (protection class I) may be connected with an
additional safety measure.
For all situations 1 and 2, the additional device shall be installed outside the patient
environment.
Additional protective earth connection between the 2 devices, or a safety isolation mains
transformer for the other device.
Special care has to be taken, if the device is connected to computer network (e.g., Ethernet),
because other devices could be connected without any control. There could be a potential
difference between the protective earth and any line of the computer network including the
shield.
In this case the only way to operate the system safely is to use an isolated signal link with
minimum air clearance and creepage distance of the isolation device in agreement with
IEC60601 incl. national deviations. For computer networks there are media converters
available which convert the electrical to optical signals. Please consider that this converter has
to comply with IEC xxx standards and is battery operated. review: Connector Panel (rear side)
(chapter 'Connector Panels' on page 15-5 )
Additionally the IEC60601 requires control measurement of leakage currents.
The system integrator (any person connecting the medical device to other devices) is
responsible that the connections are safe.
IEC XXX Stands for standards such as: IEC 60601 for medical devices IEC 60950 for
information technology equipment etc.
Voluson® S6/S8 Basic User Manual
5433669-100 Revision 4