Frequently Asked Questions

Signos™ is the world's smallest self-contained, battery operated ultrasound system delivering high resolution images. Handheld and weighing less than 1 pound (320 grams), Signos can provide diagnosis wherever the patient may be. Signos is designed to empower users to diagnose patients at the point of care, to improve patient healthcare outcomes.

The Signos' unique transducer integrates position sensing technology to produce high resolution images without the need for an array transducer or a motor. The user generates these images by manually "painting a picture" of the underlying anatomy.

The sale of the device within the USA is restricted to licensed Healthcare Practitioners only.

Signos is a tool which can be used as an adjunct to the clinician's assessment of the patient. Areas of clinical application include abdominal, chest, fetal, cardiac and musculoskeletal as detailed below:

• Ruling in the presence and extent of aortic aneurysms
• Ruling in the presence and extent of free peritoneal fluid
• Assessing the size of the urinary bladder and estimate of bladder volume
• Determining basic obstetrics
• Ruling in the presence and location of fluid in the pericardial space
• Ruling in the presence and location of fluid in the pleural space
• Observing muscle movement for use as a biofeedback tool

The Signos ultrasound probe is water resistant allowing soaking for cleaning purposes. The Signos display unit is not water resistant, and should not be submersed or splashed.

Images are stored automatically to the supplied microSD card in normal use.

Yes. Images can be downloaded using SigViewer software and displayed on a computer. Images can be exported from SigViewer to be included with a patient record in a Practice Management software package.

Included with your Signos purchase is a choice of a 3.5 MHz or 7.5MHz transducer, AC Charger, USB cable, 2GB microSD Card, Gel, DVD containing training videos, user manual and SigViewer software.

Accessories currently available for purchase include a second transducer of choice, hard carry case, training phantom, car charger. Contact our sales department for pricing information.

Cleaning with alcohol wipes is generally sufficient. If the Signos probe has been in contact with blood then standard infection control procedures should be adopted. The Signos probe is able to be immersed in an appropriate disinfection or cleaning solution, for example Cidex®, for decontamination purposes.

Signostics recommends you use the Signos for simple clinical applications where the alternative is palpation and percussion. The data on ultrasound shows you will improve outcomes for applications such as bladder catheterization, paracentesis, thoracentesis, abscess drainage, detection of non-cephalic fetal presentation in late pregnancy, and detecting foreign bodies, and therefore you will be expected to reduce the risk associated with your clinical practice when using ultrasound for the appropriate applications.

Signos should be charged at least once every 6 months, even if it is not in use.

DVD - Your Signos package includes a DVD containing training videos that will help you understand the unique method of scanning with a Signos. We recommend that you spend 20 minutes to review these short videos. The following videos are important to get you started with the device:

• Basic Ultrasound Principles
• Signos Device Introduction
• Introduction to SectorView scanning
• Introduction to MotionScape scanning

We offer on-line WebEx training. Attend a group training session or a one-on-one training session with one of our expert clinical trainers. See our training page for schedules and pricing.

Please contact our Customer Support team. They will be able to assist you directly or have a clinical specialist contact you.

We offer support and training on how to operate the Signos. Interpretation of images is at a general/clinical level, and we cannot advise with a patient specific diagnosis.

WebEx is a software package that allows a live training session between yourself and a clinical specialist via the Internet. You will need a broadband Internet connection on your computer. An email is sent to you with instructions on how to join a WebEx training session. You will be able to see the training live via your computer, and speak with the trainer via your telephone during the live training session.

The Signos has a 12 month warranty. Refer to the warranty conditions in our support documentation library.

If you are experiencing problems with your Signos please contact our Customer Support team. They will work with you to assess and resolve your problem.

If you would like to return your product please speak with the Signostics Customer Support team. Refer to the Signostics Product Return Policy in our support documentation library.

Transducers currently available are:

• 3.5 MHz for scanning deep tissue/anatomy; and
• 7.5 MHz for scanning shallow tissue/anatomy.

As a general guide, a 3.5 MHz transducer has a range of up to 18 cm depth, while a 7.5Mhz transducer has a range of up to 9 cm depth.

The transducers are changed by unscrewing in a counter-clockwise direction.

The battery will last for 60 minutes of continuous use.

Signos is supplied with an AC charger. Only use the supplied charger for recharging your Signos.

Signos can also be charged via the USB cable with a connection to a computer, or with the Signos car charger cable. The quickest method of charging is with the AC charger.

Signos should be charged at least once every 6 months, even if it is not in use.

SigViewer is an image management software tool designed to securely link your Signos with your PC. The software maintains the relationship between patients and exams, and allows you to:

• Transfer patient data from your Signos to your PC.
• Enter and edit patient data on your PC and transfer it to your Signos.
• Transfer exam information, images, annotations and measurements to your PC.
• View and store patient, exam and image information on your PC.

SigViewer is compatible with the following Windows operating systems:

• XP (Service pack 2 or above)
• Vista

Administrator privileges are required to install the software. You will need 50MB free space on your hard drive to install the SigViewer software, plus additional space for storing the patient and exam data.

Images are stored securely using a PNG format.

Patient details can be edited and images can be manipulated using SigViewer.

Another copy of the DVD can be purchased by contacting our Customer Support team.

SigViewer software runs under Microsoft operating systems (XP and Vista). You can run the application on an Apple computer by installing virtual machine software (such as VMWare or Parallels) to run the appropriate Microsoft operating system.

Your Signos will automatically update to the latest version of software when connected to a computer that is running SigViewer software, and is connected to the Internet.