It first started as a tub full of water, and now Ultrasounds are machines smaller in size, easily portable, and even used in ambulances. The most widely known use of Ultrasounds is for pregnant women, as a way of monitoring the fetus. These machines are also used for imaging the inside of a person's’ body, and acts as a guide while doctors perform surgery. Doctors are now able to assist a patient better, make a diagnosis quicker and know if further medical attention is required. Time was once deadly in the medical field, once upon a time doctors were not able to know for sure if a patient had problems internally, and once the problem became known, it was sometimes too late to save a life. Over time, this piece of technology has changed for …show more content…
It consisted of a semicircular tub filled with water, and required the body part being observed to be submerged, which was uncomfortable. In “A Short History of Sonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology,” Stuart Campbell, a former professor at the University of London- a medical school- states, “it seems unlikely that ultrasound diagnosis would have made the breakthrough into becoming the most widespread imaging modality in clinical use was it not for the development of the compound contact scanner by Donald and Brown in the late 1950’s.” With the help of an engineer called Tom Brown, Ian Donald was able to create the first 2D ultrasound scanning machine, which he called the Diasonograph. With this piece of equipment-which was 8ft tall and occupied about one-third of the room- they were able to get images of the fetus and gynaecological tumors. The images, which were full of static, were created by rocking the transducer- a device that receives information and converted it into an electrical signal- slowly over the patient's abdomen. According to Campbell “the starting gun had been fired and the ultrasound race had begun.” A large number of static scanning machines were made in the years that followed, but none of their image resolution came close to that of the Diasonograph, which was a huge step forward for the medical …show more content…
In “Placenta Previa,” Ronan Bakker an Obstetrician and Gynecologist defines this as,“an obstetric complication that classically presents as painless vaginal bleeding in the third trimester secondary to an abnormal placentation near or covering the internal cervical os”. Historically there has been two types; complete previa which covers the whole cervix, and marginal previa that only covers part of the cervix. Since there was no way to know if it was present in some women, they would often bleed to death. Through the use of the Diasonograph in 1968, Donald was able to find the accurate location of the placenta, giving doctors an opportunity to diagnose it sooner, thus saving the lives of many women and children. By the mid 70’s the machines became less expensive, smaller and easier to move. Getting an ultrasound of a fetus was once time consuming; if the fetus moved they would have to start the whole process over, but now movements of the fetus could be followed. Since the machines were becoming more available, departments owned more instead of one big static scanner, giving the staff an opportunity to
Diagnostic medical sonography is a profession where sonographers direct high-frequency sound waves into a patient’s body through use of specific equipment to diagnose or monitor a patient’s medical condition. As described by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this examination is referred to as an ultrasound, sonogram, or echocardiogram. The high-frequency sound waves emitted from the handheld device, called a transducer, bounce back creating an echo and therefore produce an image that can be viewed on the sonographers computer screen. This image provides the sonographer and physician with an internal image of the patient’s body that will be used in diagnosis. The most familiar use of ultrasound is used in monitoring pregnancies, and is
Dr. Fox is an emergency physician at UCI Medical Center, treating and diagnosing patients using an ultrasound. His scope of research involves looking at patients’ internal organs via ultrasound, which is much quicker and less harmful than using x-ray scans that are traditionally used in emergency departments. He is also a part of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (“Faculty and Staff”). Dr. Fox is also a director of instructional ultrasound and is the assistant dean at the UCI School of Medicine (“John Christian Fox”). He started an ultrasound rotation at the UCI School of Medicine, and with a grant given by SonoSite, Inc., the ultrasound curriculum is now embedded within the UCI School of Medicine curriculum (“Faculty and Staff”). He went to Tufts University School of Medicine, receiving his MD in 1997 (“John Christian Fox”). His main research focus is to try to incorporate ultrasound more into the emergency department, and tries to find revolutionary ways to utilize ultrasound, especially because it is very cost-efficient and images are seen real-time, unlike MRI scans or x-rays, which can emit harmful radiation or results take much longer to acquire. Eric Viquez is one of the Bio 199/EMRAP (Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program) students in Dr. Fox’s ultrasound lab. He is currently a 4th year undergraduate biological sciences major who is going to medical school in the fall; he shadows shifts with Dr. Fox and
A diagnostic medical sonographer who specializes in obstetric sonography is able to capture the images of a fetus inside the mother’s uterus. This type of sonography is used to monitor the growth and development of the fetus as well as its health. Imagine seeing a parent’s joyful expression towards one another when they hear the sound of their baby’s heartbeat for the first time. Or to witness their smiles from ear to ear when they get to see their baby move and wiggle about inside the mother over the ultrasound screen. This special moment is something that an obstetric sonographer has the pleasure of witnessing every day.
Being able to identify lumps, swelling, tissue damage, cysts, and the overwhelming news of the sex of a baby all have something in common, an ultrasound. Swelling of the spleen, kidney stones, blood clots, aneurysms, cancer and so much more can be identified through the works of an ultrasound’s imaging technique. Ultrasound involves many concepts, procedures, and careers. The amount of medical possibilities involved with ultrasounds is useful in major medical diagnostics. The field of ultrasounds and career opportunities are widely growing. As medical careers flourish, needs for technicians in many fields of medicine are increasing. Instead of a doctor choosing complex and risky surgery to find out problems within the body, they can now
The increasing demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology promises an exceptional outlook for sonographers. The majority of diagnostic medical sonographers are employed by hospitals, but accessibility to low-cost portable ultrasound equipment has led to a growing number of career opportunities at clinics and diagnostic centers (Rising Demand for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers). They now have access to portable units as small as laptop computers making commuting from hospital bedsides to clinical practices easier. Since some sonographers make their own schedules through contracts with clinics, these portable units make traveling much more convenient.
Diagnostic medical sonographers who are also known as ultrasound technologists, play a very pivotal role in the health industry. Sonographers use specialized 3D imaging machines to generate images of internal body organs and structures which works hand-in-hand with doctors in gathering the necessary data needed for a diagnosis (Reece & Hobbins, 2007). Diagnostic medical sonography has many different branches you may pursue such as obstetrics/gynecology, breast sonography, cardiovascular sonography, and abdominal sonography to name a few (Brent, Jensh, & Beckman, 1991). The limits of authority and legislated scope of practice for sonographers has recently been revised in May 2013 by sixteen representatives from multiple sonography organizations throughout the country (2016). A diagnostic medical sonographer must be a qualified individual who is academically credited as well as clinically skilled before they begin to practice. Affirmation, demonstration, continuing education as well as re-certification from a nationally accredited organization is required for every sonographer (2016).
The process of becoming an ultrasound technician can be one that is intimidating. However, it doesn’t have to be. With the help of an organization called American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), those seeking to be a sonographer can achieve their goals. Although there are many steps to take, it can be done. This paper will help instruct individuals who wish to go through the sonography principles and instrumentation (SPI) examination (Sonography Principles & Instrumentation [SPI], (2015).
Diagnostic Medical Sonography was introduced into my life suddenly when I was 15 years old. At that time, I was told that I had a blood clot running the length of my leg starting in my popliteal vein. Ultrasound after ultrasound I found myself becoming more and more interested with what was happening on the screen. Since I went to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for majority of my ultrasounds, I always had a student coming into my exams. On my very last exam, I started asking the sonographer questions about the exam.
Sonography is considered fairly new to the medical world. It started back in the 19th century when people were becoming curious of what the inside of the body looked like. Soon after, the x-ray was invented. Then the French government had a man named Paul Langevine invent an object to detect enemy submarines during war.
Contrary to what many know and believe about ultrasound, sonography is not only about the happy and exciting moments of revealing to expecting mothers the gender of their baby. Sonography is a field that requires lifelong learning, commitment, and dedication. It is a challenging and fulfilling career, involving critical thinking and using knowledge of anatomy and instrumentation to produce proper images, thus making the sonographer an important part of the medical team. What draws me to pursuing a career in sonography is its intriguing combination of science, technology, and art. Applying expert use of technological equipment to interpret how the body works using scientific knowledge makes sonography
Sonography is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses the echoes of high-frequency sound waves to construct an image of internal organs or body structures. The employment rate is is expected to grow 26 percent from 2014 to 2024. Since ultrasound is non-invasive, it is more encouraged than other methods so the career is always in demand. Diagnostic medical sonographers duties are to prepare and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment, taking a patients medical history, answering questions about the procedure, operating the equipment, review images and test results, know the difference between normal and abnormal images, analyze diagnostic information, record findings, and keep track of patient records. Hospitals, offices of physicians, medical
Over the last few years ultrasound technicians as a career has upgraded a lot because of the advancements in the technology. We have learned besides seeing what is going on inside the body we can use the sound waves, that ultrasound technology used to produce the image, to provide therapy to correct a problem which Emma Lloyd talks about in her article Benefits of
Sonography utilizes sound waves to generate an image that can be analyzed to determine or rule out a diagnosis. Ultrasound or ultrasonography is a medical imaging technique that uses high frequency sound waves. It is a high pitch frequency that cannot be heard by the human ear. A diagnostic medical sonographer works directly with patients in a dimly lit room with imaging machines. The sonographer gets the medical history of the patient and prepares the patient for an ultrasound examination. The sonographer explains the noninvasive procedure and answers any question the patient might have. The sonographer positions the patient and covers the patient only exposing the area needed for the procedure. The sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonography is a profession where sonographers direct high-frequency sound waves into a patient’s body through the use of specific equipment to diagnose or monitor a patient’s medical condition. As described by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this examination is referred to as an ultrasound, sonogram, or echocardiogram. The high-frequency sound waves emitted from the handheld device, called a transducer, bounce back creating an echo and therefore produce an image that can be viewed on the sonographers computer screen. This image provides the sonographer and physician with an internal image of the patient’s body that will be used in the diagnosis. The most familiar use of ultrasound is used in monitoring pregnancies
Ultrasound or ultrasonography is a medical imaging technique that uses high frequency sound waves. It is a high pitch frequency that cannot be heard by the human ear. In ultra sound the following happens: High frequency sound pulses (1-5megahertz) are transmitted from the ultrasound machine into your body using a probe. The sound wave will travel into your body until it hits an object such as soft tissue and bone. When the sound wave hits these objects some of the wave will be reflected back to the probe. While some waves may carry on further till they hit another object and then reflected back. The probe picks up these reflected sound waves and relays them to the machine. The distance and time from the probe,