How Are Ultrasound Probes and Ultrasound Transducers Used?

Current diagnostic ultrasonography technology uses probes containing an acoustic ultrasound transducer (or several ultrasound transducers) to send pulses of ultrasound into matter. When the mechanical wave comes upon a boundary between two different materials (different acoustic impedance) energy is reflected back to the ultrasound transducer. This reflected energy echo is detected by theprobe. The time it takes for the echo to travel back to the probe is electronically measured and used to calculate, as well as to display, the depth of the tissue.

The frequencies used for medical ultrasonography are generally in the range of 1 to 15 MHz. Higher frequencies have a lower wavelength, producing images with a greater resolution. However, the reduction of the wave is increased at higher frequencies, so in order to most effectively penetrate deeper tissues, a lower frequency (3-5MHz) is used.

Ultrasound transducers produce images of muscle and soft tissue, useful for defining borders between solid and fluid-filled spaces. Ultrasound transducers provide live images, enabling operators to select the most useful sections for rapid diagnoses. They show the structure and function of internal organs. It provide a useful way to examine the musculoskeletal system to detect problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. It also assist in identifying blockages, stenosis and other vascular abnormalities.

Modern, high-class ultrasoundsystems use the best ultrasound transducers technology, coupled with excellent processors and a user friendly interface. The image quality depends mainly on the ultrasound transducer, which is the front end that transmits and receives the mechanical energy. Modern ultrasound transducers give users unparalled and unsurpassed multi-modality ultrasound experience.

The most common ultrasound applications are:

Portable ultrasound
OB/GYN ultrasound
Cardiac ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound
Urology ultrasound
Vascular ultrasound
3D ultrasound
Muscoskeletal ultrasound
Transcranial Doppler systems
Small particles scanners
Ophthalmology
Veterinary ultrasound

The most popular types of ultrasound are:

Linear probes
Phased array probes
Convex ultrasound probes
Real time 4D ultrasound probes
Endocavity ultrasound probes
Endovaginal ultrasound probes
Laparoscopic ultrasound probes
Intravascular ultrasound probes

There are many new applications being discovered all the time for ultrasound transducers including:

Carotid ultrasonography, used to assess blood flow into the carotid arteries, as well as the intra-cerebral arteries.
Echocardiography, which is an ultrasound that shows the movement of the heart, as the muscle dilates and contracts.
Emergency medical technicians often use a form of probe. Also, it is used in the ER as a routine method of quickly assessing the cause of a patient's abdominal pain.
Urologists often use ultrasound transducers to detect the level of fluid that is in a patient's bladder.
Gynecologists may perform a pelvic sonogram using an ultrasound to view an image of the pelvic floor in women and diagnose any abnormalities.
More detailed images of the tendons, nerves, muscles, ligaments and other soft tissue areas that may have been affected by injury or trauma.
Arterial probe is used by cardiologists to check for possible obstructions in the arteries, or to diagnose DVT.
In gastroenterology, doctors can view the abdomen using an probe to view organs such as the aorta, pancreas, gall bladder, kidneys, liver and spleen.

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Ultrasound Probes - The Doctor's New Tool

The ultrasound machine or US machine is one the most useful and versatile types of medical equipment. Using high frequency inaudible sound waves delivered by means of ultrasound probes, these devices can be used to diagnose diseases and abnormalities, monitor pregnancy and other normal functions, and can even be used to deliver therapy.

The often-preferred method of taking a look inside the body is ultrasound. X-rays are useful, but the radiation produced by x-ray is of some concern and may pose more risk to some patients than others. Ultrasound has no such known risks. An ultrasound can't be used in the place of x-rays in every scenario, but for many applications it is actually better. The "ultra" in "ultrasound" refers to sound that is beyond the range of human hearing. Echoes reflect sound waves back to the ultrasound transducer, creating a picture of what is there. Both industrial and medical fields have found various uses for ultrasound in the past.

The technician uses a specially formulated conducting gel to allow the ultrasound probe (transducer) to keep in continuous contact with the skin. A similar probe provides even higher amounts of ultrasound when it is utilized for physiotherapy purposes. It warms the contact surface by means of vibrations produced by these high speed sonic currents. This, in turn, increases circulation and alleviates pain and inflammation such as is found in cases of soft tissue injury. It is necessary to maintain the probe's constant motion and limit the length of each ultrasound therapy session in order to avoid overheating any area under treatment.

Medical ultrasound is often used to diagnose conditions such as appendicitis and gall bladder disease rapidly and easily. In appendicitis, the US may be able to confirm a diagnosis faster than with blood testing for the infection and works better than x-ray or CT scanning and is less expensive. It is standard to obtain an US image whenever gallstones or other gall bladder problems are suspected.

Everyone knows that ultrasounds are heavily used at the OB office to detect, observe, and even diagnose pregnancies. Ultrasound probes and lubricating gels, usually when the woman has a full bladder, can easily get a good look at the female reproductive system. Using ultrasound, a practitioner can quickly and accurately give the size and gender of a fetus, placenta location, and detect any abnormalities with the pregnancy or its location.

The heart can be scanned using ultrasound. In most cases, a probe is passed over the chest and an echocardiogram of the flow of blood is taken. A TEE (transesophageal echocardiogram) is more precise and is carried out by inserting a probe down the throat and taking the image from the inside. It is easier to detect conditions such as aneurysms by using this method, but patients have to be unconscious in order for it to be carried out.

As far as medical equipment is concerned, ultrasound is often preferred to x-ray because no possibly harmful ionizing radiation is produced by ultrasound and it has no know diagnostic risks. It cannot be substituted in every case for x-rays, but it is actually better for many uses. An echo reflects the sound waves back into the ultrasound transducer and an image is record of what is found. This is also used in industrial studies as well as medical uses. Transducers, or ultrasound probes, make contact with the skin with the use of a special conducting gel that makes a continuous connection with the skin surface.

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