Ultrasound In the medical field, there is a wide variety of technology that has been discovered in order to assist the practitioners in treating the patients. In order to understand the human body, the medical practitioners often use technology. One of the frequently used technology is the ultrasound. Ultrasound uses sounds to produce images inside the body. Furthermore, the procedure is always painless and safe. This paper will discuss the general ultrasound imaging, the procedure, and preparation of carrying out the ultrasound, the benefits and the risks involved in using ultra sound. Imaging Ultrasound imaging is a very fast and safe procedure that involves hi-technology. Ultrasound imaging is also known as ultrasound scanning or sonography. As pointed by Fester and Lacefield (2015), an ultrasonic imaging requires an ultrasonic transducer. The procedure involves the use of a small transducer and an …show more content…
The medical practitioner applies the gel to the areas to be scanned then the transducer is lightly pressed on these areas. The transducer will send sound waves into the body and receive the echoing waves. Finally, the echo waves will be sent to a connected computer, which will eventually produce real time pictures of the body. Benefits and Risks The benefits of an ultrasound imaging outweigh the risks of this procedure. First, the process is noninvasive as there are no needles or injections involved. Second, Del Cura et al. (2012) point out that ultrasound is frequently considered due to its low cost and the absence of ionizing radiation. Third, ultrasound gives clear images of tiny tissues in the body that could not be visible in the X-rays. Lastly, ultrasound gives real time imaging and, thus, can be a guide on where to further examine either by other invasive procedures. Finally, there are no known risks of an ultrasound imaging. Limitation of Using
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
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
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
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
Gill, R., 2012. The physics and technology of diagnostic ultrasound: a practitioner's guide. Abbotsford, N.S.W.: High Frequency Publishing.
Sonography is non-invasive. A sonographer uses equipment that directs high-frequency sound waves to body organs and tissue to generate medical diagnostic images. It does not use radiation and is expected to grow in a professional manor and as a tool used by physicians. This is also a way for many individuals to use non-invasive technology to help assist in diagnostics.
I am here to explain an ultrasound, so that way you are not nervous. First, there are different types of sound waves, and how they travel. There are transverse, longitudinal, and surface waves. The transverse waves are a mechanical wave which means that the wave travels like an S- wave sideways. Longitudinal waves travel parallel to the direction the wave travels. When the longitudinal wave travels it compresses through the particles in the medium that it passes through. Longitudinal waves are like contractions because they can compress together really high, and or low which could make the pain hurt more, or hurt very little. Surface waves move in circular motions around the medium. In an ultrasound you can see your baby move around in your
What are your options when it comes to an ultrasound? Read on to find out.
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
During a pregnancy, many expecting mothers will travel to the doctor to have a check up with how the pregnancy is doing. Many mothers will get done a special procedure that is called an ultrasound. An ultrasound is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to scan a woman’s abdomen and pelvic cavity, creating a picture (sonogram) of the baby and the placenta.(2-1) Ultrasounds may be performed at any point during a pregnancy, and the results are seen immediately on a monitor during the procedure.(2-2) The ultrasound doesn’t hurt the mother or the fetus. There are many situations where ultrasounds can be used. Some doctors will use an ultrasound to look at someone’s abdomen, especially if there is stomach pains and nausea present. One
A Sonographer operates ultrasound equipment which is a scanning technology which uses sound waves to create images of soft and hard tissues. Mainly known for performing fetal and pregnancy inspections and check-ups, the technology has been adapted to performing diagnostics of practically every part of the human body (Szabo, 2004). Today ultrasound has grown into a powerful medical screening tool which medical professionals turn to for accurate internal imaging to determine the extent of the patient’s conditions.
Ultrasounds help in diagnosing problems such as, physical defects and internal abnormalities of an unborn baby. “Ultrasound allows the doctor to see inside the uterus and provides much information about the pregnancy” (Radiologic Society of North America, 2013). However, some people believe that ultrasound negatively affects the tissues of the body. “When ultrasound enters the body, it heats the tissues slightly. In some cases, it can also produce small pockets of gas in body fluids or tissues known as cavitation,” (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2014). Some also believe that the force of acoustic streaming during an ultrasound can cause fetal damage. “While the effect of this force is not fully understood, research suggests that it may change cell permeability and have adverse effects on both early and late prenatal and postnatal development” (Kresser, 2011). So no matter what procedure is being performed, there are always risks and benefits involved. Although, most pregnant women are worried about the potential risks of their unborn child, they are more worried about how their child is developing inside their womb. Most pregnant women look forward to these exams so they can be aware of their unborn child’s growth and prepare if any abnormalities are
Another form of imaging is ultrasound. Ultrasound, which uses very high frequency sound, is directed into the body. And because the tissue interference's reflect sound, doctors are able to produce, by use of a computer, a photograph or moving image on a television. Ultrasound has many application uses on the body, but is more commonly used in examinations of the fetus during pregnancy, because use of radiation may affect the outcome of the baby. Some other practices for ultrasound include examination of the arteries, heart, pancreas, urinary system, ovaries, brain, and spinal cord. And because sound travels well through fluids it is a very useful technique for diagnosing cysts( which are filled with fluid), and fluid filled structures such as the bladder. And since sound is absorbed by air and bone it is impossible to use a ultrasound on bones or lungs.
The probe also has an acoustic lens this helps to focus the emitted sound waves. The transducer probe can come in many different shapes and sizes. The field of view depends on the shape of the probe. Also the frequency of the waves emitted determines how deep the sound waves will penetrate and also the resolution of the image that will be produced. Probes can be used to move across the body but they can also be inserted through various openings. E.g. orally, this enables the probe to get closer to object that is being examined. Being closer to the object may allow for more detailed views.