Parker SCAN® Ultrasound Gel | Dual-Viscosity, Low-Viscosity Coupling Gel

Parker SCAN® Ultrasound Gel — Dual-Viscosity Ultrasound Coupling Medium

Parker Laboratories SCAN® Ultrasound Gel is a less-viscous medical ultrasound coupling medium designed to apply like a gel and behave more fluidly as the transducer moves across the skin.

The dual-viscosity formulation is the main difference between SCAN and other ultrasound transmission gels that are more viscous. Parker recommends SCAN for medical ultrasound procedures where a less-viscous coupling medium is preferred while maintaining acoustic transmission across the broad range of frequencies used by medical ultrasound equipment. 

SCAN is completely aqueous, water-soluble, bacteriostatic, non-staining, and formulated without formaldehyde. It is a nonsterile, multi-use ultrasound gel intended for external use on intact, unbroken skin. 

Why choose SCAN ultrasound gel?

• Dual-viscosity formula — applies as a gel and scans more like a fluid

• Less viscous than conventional thick ultrasound transmission gels

• Acoustically formulated for the broad range of medical ultrasound frequencies

• Completely aqueous and water-soluble

• Bacteriostatic

• Non-staining

• Formulated not to damage compatible ultrasound equipment

• No formaldehyde

• Available from a treatment-room 8 oz bottle through a 4-gallon SCANPAC system

• Manufactured by Parker Laboratories

SCAN Ultrasound Gel Sizes

What Does “Dual Viscosity” Mean?

SCAN's most important product characteristic is not simply that it is an ultrasound gel.

Its formula is engineered so it can be dispensed and initially handled as a gel yet move more fluidly while scanning.

That can be desirable when a clinician wants easier transducer movement or a thinner coupling layer than a conventional high-viscosity ultrasound gel provides.

SCAN is intended for ultrasound procedures when a less-viscous gel is desired. 

That differentiates SCAN from the traditional Aquasonic 100 ultrasound gel.

SCAN vs. Aquasonic 100

These are both medical ultrasound coupling media, but viscosity is the primary purchasing difference.

Aquasonic 100 is used when a viscous gel is required, while SCAN is used when a less-viscous gel is desired. This is probably the single best comparison for differentiating the two pages without content duplication. 

Shop Aquasonic 100 Ultrasound Gel

SCAN vs. Aquasonic CLEAR

Aquasonic CLEAR is not simply a clear-colored version of SCAN.

Choose SCAN because of its viscosity characteristics.

Choose Aquasonic CLEAR when the priority is coupling performance without added color or fragrance.

SCAN vs. TheraSonic Ultrasound Gel

Compare TheraSonic Ultrasound Gel

8. Which SCAN size should a customer buy?

8 oz / 237 mL — 11-08

The 8 oz bottle is the most practical option for:

• individual exam rooms;

• ultrasound carts;

• portable imaging;

• lower-volume clinics;

• customers who do not need a refill program.

1 Gallon — 11-28

The gallon is designed for facilities consuming enough gel that constantly replacing 8 oz bottles becomes inefficient.

The 11-28 variant includes a refillable dispenser bottle, but the dispenser pump is not part of the package.

SCANPAC — 11-28S

SCANPAC is the complete bulk dispensing configuration:

• 4 one-gallon containers

• 2 refillable dispensers

• 1 dispenser pump

For high-volume facilities, it is a better package than purchasing four separate 11-28 gallon containers because the pump is included.

9. Important infection-control distinction

SCAN is not sterile.

IFU says the gel is intended for external use on intact, unbroken skin where cross-contamination is of minimal concern. The manufacturer reserves refill containers and refillable dispensers for low-risk patients and procedures in non-acute-care facilities. 

SCAN multi-use packaging should not be used for invasive procedures, fresh surgical sites, open wounds, or other applications where sterile gel is required. 

For procedures requiring a sterile coupling medium:

Shop Sterile Aquasonic 100 Ultrasound Gel

SCAN vs. Sterile Aquasonic 100

Being bacteriostatic does not make SCAN sterile.

10. Can SCAN be used for therapeutic ultrasound?

SCAN is suitable for medical ultrasound applications.

SCAN may be used with compatible diagnostic or therapeutic medical ultrasound equipment when the device instructions allow a conventional water-soluble coupling gel and a less-viscous medium is appropriate.

Therapeutic Ultrasound Equipment at Balego

And for your existing educational content:

US Pro 2000 Ultrasound FAQ & Troubleshooting Guide

11. Recommended FAQs

Is SCAN Ultrasound Gel thinner than Aquasonic 100?

Yes, SCAN is for procedures where a less-viscous ultrasound gel is desired, whereas Aquasonic 100 is positioned for applications requiring a viscous gel. 

Why is it called dual viscosity?

The formulation allows SCAN to be applied like a gel, but it behaves more fluidly while the transducer is scanning.

What color is SCAN gel?

SCAN is light green.

Is SCAN Ultrasound Gel sterile?

No. FDA and Parker identify SCAN as nonsterile.

Can SCAN be used on broken skin?

No. Parker's IFU specifies use on intact, unbroken skin.

Does the gallon include a dispenser?

Yes. REF 11-28 includes a refillable dispenser bottle.

Does 11-28 include the pump?

No. The pump is not included with 11-28.

What does SCANPAC include?

REF 11-28S contains four gallons, two refillable dispensers, and one pump.

Is SCAN bacteriostatic?

Yes, "Bacteriostatic" does not mean "sterile."

Does SCAN contain formaldehyde?

No formaldehyde. 

Is SCAN water-soluble?

Yes. IFU describes SCAN as water-soluble and non-staining.

Can the gallon dispensers be refilled indefinitely?

Follow current refill instructions and the facility's infection-control protocol. The refill configurations are intended for appropriate low-risk patients/procedures in non-acute-care environments.