Philips ClearVue 550
Philips · ClearVue series
The Philips ClearVue 550 is a general imaging or shared-service ultrasound system designed for quick scans in busy settings. It is FDA-cleared under K120321 for obstetric, gynecological, abdominal, cardiac, musculoskeletal and peripheral vessel imaging. It has an articulating display arm and more complete features than the ClearVue 350; it is upgradeable to 4D, where the ClearVue 650 has 3D/4D from the start.
- Released
- 2012first FDA clearance
- Probe ports
- 4transducer connectors
- Display
- 19-inch LEDearlier units: 17-inch LCD
Compatible probes
Linear
- L12-4
- L12-5 38 Requires software 3.1 or higher
Convex & microconvex
- C5-2
- V6-2 Volume curved array
Phased
- S4-1 Sector array
Endocavity
- C9-4v Endovaginal
- 3D9-3v Endovaginal volume array
Specialty
- D2cwc Non-imaging continuous-wave Doppler, 2 MHz
Specifications
Display
- Monitor
- 19-inch fold-down LED; earlier units have a 17-inch fold-down LCD
- Monitor mount
- Articulating arm
- Brightness
- User-adjustable in system settings
Physical
- Weight
- 52 kg with the printer; 56.43 kg total, configuration unspecified
- Probe ports
- Four transducer connectors
- Controls
Buttons, rotary controls, sliders, trackball, keyboard and quick keysPhysical buttons, rotary controls, sliders and a trackball, with keyboard entry and context-dependent quick keys; the control panel has a Patient hardkey and a Calc key.Show allShow less
- Design
- Modular, for serviceability and reliability
Power & battery
- Battery
- Button cell on the motherboard
Connectivity & options
- DICOM
Optional: image and multiframe storage, storage commitment, SR, worklist, MPPS, printOn release 3.1, each as SCU and each a purchasable option: Ultrasound Image Storage, Ultrasound Multiframe Image Storage, Storage Commitment Push Model, Comprehensive SR, Modality Worklist, Modality Performed Procedure Step, and Basic Grayscale and Basic Color Print Management. Releases 1.0 and 2.0 have their own DICOM conformance statements.Show allShow less
- Removable media
- CD-R, DVD and USB devices
- Remote service
Remote Service Network connection; Remote Desktop where availableConnection to the Philips Remote Service Network, with support requests entered from the system and utilization reports; Remote Desktop, where available, for technical and clinical support and training.Show allShow less
- Purchasable options
- High Q Automatic Doppler Analysis; Physio
Imaging & software
- Imaging modes
B, M, Anatomical M, PW, CW and Color Doppler, tissue harmonics, angio, freehand 3DAs cleared for the first (1.0) release: B (2-D), M-mode including Anatomical M-mode, Pulse Wave Doppler, Continuous Wave Doppler, Color Doppler, Tissue Harmonics, angio and 3D (freehand).Show allShow less
- Image processing
- SonoCT compounding, XRES speckle reduction, tissue and pulse inversion harmonics
- Image optimization
iSCAN one-button optimization; 2D Opt for frequency and penetration/resolutioniSCAN one-button imaging optimization; 2D Opt, a control for optimizing transmit and receive frequencies and the balance between penetration and resolution.Show allShow less
- Automation
- With the L12-5 38: AutoSCAN, and Auto Doppler flow optimization
- 3D/4D
- Upgradeable to 4D; 3D editing with a curved upper ROI boundary
- Obstetric tools
- Auto AFI measurement; Auto Face Reveal clears overlying tissue from fetal-face volumes
- Review
- Active native data: supported images keep raw data for adjustments in Review
- Quantification
- QLAB on-system quantification of acquired images (1.0 release)
- Technology
- Active Array
- Software maintenance
- On-cart tools that keep custom annotations, calculations, presets and patient data
- Revision and software
1.0 (R1.0.x), 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1; 3.1 reads and imports 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 dataClearVue 550 releases 1.0 (R1.0.x), 2.0 (also designated 2.0.3 and 2.0.5), 3.0 and 3.1; release 3.1 reads and imports data from 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0.Show allShow less
Compliance
- FDA 510(k)
K120321, decided 2012-02-17 (ClearVue 350/550)K120321, decided 2012-02-17: substantially equivalent, device name ClearVue 350/550 Diagnostic Ultrasound System. An FDA establishment listing also groups the ClearVue 550 under K153480, the ClearVue 850's clearance.Show allShow less
What to check when buying a used Philips ClearVue 550
Test the articulating monitor arm and its hinge
FDA reports on the ClearVue 550 describe an improperly assembled arm that fell on a patient during use, and a monitor found detached from its hinge.
How: Move the arm through its full range, confirm it stays where it is set and the monitor is firmly fixed at the hinge, and inspect the pressurized gas strut in the arm.
Check each probe's serial number against Philips recalls
Philips has recalled C5-2 and L12-4 probes that were refurbished beyond their useful life, and recall records under the system's 510(k) also name the C9-4v and S4-1.
How: Match each probe against recalls Z-2050-2025, Z-2055-2025, Z-2353-2025 and Z-2364-2025, look up its manufacturing certificate by serial number on Philips's transducer website, ask for the correction notice and exchange records, and reject any probe that fails visual inspection or electrical safety testing.
Check a supplied 3D9-3v against recall Z-2517-2023
On affected 3D9-3v probes the housing can separate, and affected probes are to be taken out of use.
How: Match the probe's UDI or serial number against the recall's list, and ask for proof it was exchanged under the recall.
Inspect each probe's lens, housing, cable and connector
An FDA report on a C9-4v from a ClearVue 550 found a damaged lens with exposed metal beneath it and dead elements, and a probe with a cracked or damaged housing, lens or cable must never be used.
How: Look for cracks, lens damage, discoloration and worn strain reliefs, and ask how each probe was cleaned, since alcohol on cables or strain reliefs, the wrong disinfectant or over-long immersion can damage or discolor it.
Common questions about the Philips ClearVue 550
Is the Philips ClearVue 550 FDA-cleared?
Yes. It is FDA-cleared under 510(k) K120321, decided on February 17, 2012, which clears the ClearVue 350/550 Diagnostic Ultrasound System as substantially equivalent to the Philips HD11 (K043535).
An FDA establishment listing also groups the ClearVue 550 with the ClearVue family under K153480. That clearance is the ClearVue 850's, so it does not establish the 850's features on the 550.
What exams is the Philips ClearVue 550 cleared for?
Its 510(k), K120321, clears it for fetal/obstetric, abdominal, pediatric, small organ (thyroid, scrotum, prostate, breast), neonatal and adult cephalic, trans-rectal, trans-vaginal, musculoskeletal (conventional and superficial), gynecological, adult and pediatric cardiac, fetal cardiac, peripheral vessel and carotid imaging, for use in hospitals, clinics and medical offices.
What is the difference between the ClearVue 550 and the ClearVue 350?
The 550 has more complete features than the 350 and carries its display on an articulating arm, where the 350 uses a tilt-swivel mount. The 350 is designed as an office system that can grow with a practice's needs, the 550 for quick scans in busy settings. Both are cleared under one 510(k), K120321.
How does the ClearVue 550 compare with the ClearVue 650 and 850?
The ClearVue 650 has 3D/4D from the start, while the 550 is upgradeable to 4D.
The ClearVue 850 is designed for quantification and ergonomics, and stress echo is part of its feature set but not the 550's. It has its own 510(k), K153480, with the ClearVue 350/550 as its predicate.
Is the Philips ClearVue 550 discontinued?
Yes. Philips no longer offers the ClearVue 550.