the probe

Fig. 1: Holding the probe correctly.

The probe should be grasped close to the patient. This will enable the investigator to keep it stable and obtain a calm image. It also helps to steer the probe in the required direction. The weight of the arm and the hand is effectively passed on to the probe so one can exert enough pressure on the surface if necessary.

Holding the probe at the end of the cable or just loosely at “the neck” will make it wobble back and forth. Force from the arm and hand cannot be passed on effectively. The fingers become tense rather rapidly, especially at the beginning. Rather than being stable, the image will be restless. One’s hand tires easily.