SonoSite Sonix SP: PCI video card replacement for the touch panel
What happened
An engineer was looking for a replacement video card with a PCI interface (not PCIe) for a Sonix SP ultrasound. The system carries two video cards: one for the main display, one for the touch panel.
What was checked
- Identify which of the two video cards serves the touch panel and which serves the main display.
- Confirm the slot type is the older PCI, not PCIe — this is the usual stumbling point when sourcing the part.
- Check part markings and labels on the back of the board to identify the original card.
- Confirm the replacement has a DVI output; in this case the graphics load was described as light, so no high-end card is needed.
Cause
Root cause was not confirmed in the case. The touch-panel card is an old PCI-format part, so age-related degradation is the likely reason it needed replacing.
The cause is probable and was not fully confirmed.
What was done
In this case the engineers suggested fitting an NVidia FX 5200 or 5500 with a PCI interface — any card with a DVI output should work, since the load is minimal. Reported post-swap steps: end the running exam application in Task Manager, install the new card's drivers, select the touch-panel display profile in the video driver settings, and reboot. Oven-baking the old card was also mentioned as a stopgap, reported in the case to hold for about a year. The outcome was considered probable, not verified long-term.
Safety
Work with the mains unplugged and use ESD precautions when handling the boards; after any internal board replacement, run an electrical safety check (earth continuity and leakage current) before returning the system to clinical use.
Lesson: Even in dedicated ultrasound hardware, PC-era internals can often be swapped for generic parts — match the interface and connector first, then redo and document the software configuration after the swap.
Covered in the course: Ultrasound Service — Level 2: Fault-Finding →
Written from an anonymised case shared by service engineers. It is not a manufacturer instruction and grants no authorisation. Independent note; names are trademarks of their owners.