PD IEC TS 62462-2017 PDF

Full title and description

IEC TS 62462:2017 — Ultrasonics — Output test — Guidance for the maintenance of ultrasound physiotherapy systems. This Technical Specification provides methods to assist users and service personnel in checking and documenting the performance of therapeutic ultrasound equipment, including acceptance, routine (weekly) and annual tests, and includes new guidance on periodic testing of effective radiating area using thermochromic absorbers (added in this edition).

Abstract

IEC TS 62462:2017 gives practical, test-based guidance for maintaining ultrasonic physiotherapy systems so that their acoustic output and functional behaviour remain within acceptable limits. It describes regimes for acceptance, weekly and annual checks, defines performance tests (output power, beam uniformity, effective radiating area, pulse duty factor and timer accuracy), recommends recording and reporting formats, and provides rationale and informative annexes to support test selection and interpretation.

General information

• Status: Published (active Technical Specification).
• Publication date: 26 July 2017.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 11.040.60; 17.140.50.
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2017).
• Number of pages: 30.

Scope

This Technical Specification applies to ultrasound physiotherapy systems and describes methods for checking their performance during acceptance testing, routine (weekly) checks and more comprehensive annual tests. It is intended for use by clinicians and technical staff involved with therapeutic ultrasound — physiotherapists, medical practitioners, chiropractors and similar users — as well as biomedical engineers, device service agents, test houses and manufacturers. The edition adds an Annex with a thermochromic-absorber method for periodic effective radiating area checks.

Key topics and requirements

• Testing regimes: acceptance testing, weekly testing, and annual (comprehensive) testing.
• Performance tests: ultrasonic output power, relative output checks, beam uniformity, effective radiating area (ERA), pulse duty factor accuracy and timer accuracy.
• Visual inspection and manufacturer’s statements as part of acceptance.
• Recording and reporting of results, pass/fail criteria and service requirements.
• New guidance (this edition) on periodic ERA testing using thermochromic absorbers (Annex E).

Typical use and users

Primary users are physiotherapists and other clinicians operating therapeutic ultrasound equipment who need routine checks to ensure safe and effective therapy. Secondary users include biomedical engineers, medical physicists, device service engineers, test houses, commercial testers and manufacturers who perform acceptance, calibration and annual verification tests. The document is intended to support both in-clinic routine maintenance and formal service testing.

Related standards

Standards commonly used alongside IEC TS 62462 include: IEC 60601-2-5 (particular requirements for ultrasonic physiotherapy equipment), IEC 61161 (ultrasonic power measurement using radiation force balances) and other IEC technical specifications on therapeutic-ultrasound field characterization such as IEC TS 62556. These documents cover device safety, absolute power measurement methods and high-intensity therapeutic ultrasound field specification respectively and are often referenced for measurement technique and safety alignment.

Keywords

ultrasonics, therapeutic ultrasound, physiotherapy, output test, effective radiating area, beam uniformity, radiation force, maintenance, acceptance testing, routine testing, IEC TS 62462, thermochromic absorbers

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TS 62462:2017 is an IEC Technical Specification titled "Ultrasonics — Output test — Guidance for the maintenance of ultrasound physiotherapy systems" that gives practical testing guidance for maintaining therapeutic ultrasound equipment.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers recommended testing regimes (acceptance, weekly, annual), specific performance tests (output power, beam uniformity, ERA, pulse duty factor and timer accuracy), visual inspections, recording of results and service requirements; the 2017 edition also adds a method using thermochromic absorbers for periodic ERA checks.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Clinicians (physiotherapists, chiropractors), biomedical engineers, medical physicists, device service agents, test houses, commercial testers and manufacturers involved with therapeutic ultrasound equipment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC TS 62462:2017 is the 2nd edition (published 26 July 2017). For the most current status or any updates/amendments after 2017, consult the IEC publications catalogue or your national standards body; stability information listed with the IEC indicates this edition’s publication details.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a Technical Specification produced by IEC TC 87 (Ultrasonics) and sits alongside related IEC standards and technical specifications covering ultrasonic measurement (for example IEC 61161 and IEC TS 62556) and the medical‑equipment safety series (for example IEC 60601 and its particular parts). Users often apply it together with those documents for comprehensive testing and safety compliance.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ultrasonics; therapeutic ultrasound; physiotherapy; output test; effective radiating area (ERA); beam uniformity; radiation force; maintenance; acceptance testing; IEC TS 62462.