Updated May 20, 2013.

A transesophageal echocardiogram, or TEE, enables cardiologists to asses the heart's function and structures. Basically, the cardiologist inserts a probe like a microphone into the patient's mouth and down the throat so that it can record sound waves emitted from the heart. This type of echocardiogram can be useful because it allows the cardiologist to get a picture of the heart unimpeded by bones, muscle, and skin.

To learn more about how a transesophageal echocardiogram is performed, and why, read these articles that have been reviewed by About's Medical Review Board.

• The Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) by Richard N. Fogoros, M.D.
• The Echocardiogram: The Echo Test and Its Uses by Richard N. Fogoros, M.D.
• A list of sites providing information on echocardiograms

TEE Probe Disinfectors

Of course it should be no surprise that a TEE probe, after it is used, must be disinfected so that it is safe to be used again on a new patient. Traditionally, the disinfection process for TEE probes has been manual. Manual disinfection puts the probe at risk, because if it is dropped or hits another object, the probe is no longer warranted by most manufacturers, and cannot be reused. That's a big risk for an expensive medical supply investment.

CS Medical has developed the first automated TEE probe disinfector. The company named it the "TD 100." Here are the features and intended benefits of the unit:

• It performs a high-level disinfection in 5 minutes.

• The TD 100 has 5 rinse cycles after the disinfection cycle.
• There is a built-in vapor management system that captures and neutralizes fumes.
• Intended to be simple to use by medical personnel thanks to the TD100's microprocessor controls.
• Disinfection cycles are repeatable and verified.
• The TD 100 provides the user with a printed record of a successful disinfection cycle.
• CS Medical also created a single-use high-level disinfectant called "TD-5" for use with the machine.
• Staff members can perform a full diagnostic check of each disinfection cycle with the TD100's controls.
• Since a fresh disinfectant is used for each cycle there is no need for minimum effective concentration (MEC) testing.
• Powered by 120V AC and it is UL approved.

Storing Disinfected Tee Probes

CS Medical has also created two storage cabinets (one holds 3 probes, one can accommodate 6 probes) to safely store TEE probes after they have been disinfected. The cabinets are designed to, as CS Medical describes it, "bathe TEE probes with filtered air during storage."

The storage cabinets lend themselves to effective and easy cleaning because they:

• are solid
• are seamless
• are made of thermally-fused polypropylene

Polypropylene is so effective for storing the TEE probes because it does not absorb moisture, and it cannot be broken down by strong cleaners and disinfectants.

More features of the TEE Probe Storage Cabinets:

• Positive pressure filtered air circulates the cabinet.
• Polypropylene won't rust.
• The cabinet interior consists of a specially designed cable holder and shelves to maintain orderly instrument storage.
• The front door locks but also has a clear panel so that staff can view the contents of the cabinet without opening the door.
• Also powered by 120V AC, and is UL approved.

TD 100

The TD 100 is 8" deep, 24" wide, and 44" high. Anyone who has done traditional manual disinfecting knows that a unit of this size saves a lot of space compared to the room a staff member needs to manually disinfect a TEE probe.

The TD 100 has FDA 510k clearance. Three major TEE manufacturers have already tested and approved of the TD 100: Philips Medical, Siemens Medical and GE HealthCare. CS Medical claims there are more than six hundred TD 100s in use.