Ultrasound Principles and Production

Ultrasound is a type of imaging technology that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal body structures. It’s non-invasive and typically does not cause any discomfort to the patient.
The production of ultrasound begins with a transducer or probe. This device emits pulses of sound waves that travel into the body.
These sound waves move at different speeds through different types of tissues. When the sound waves hit a boundary between tissues (for example, between bone and soft tissue), some of the waves get reflected back to the transducer.
The transducer also picks up the reflected waves, which it then converts into electrical pulses.
These pulses are processed by a computer, which generates a real-time image based on the echos’ intensity and time delay. The image can be observed on a screen.
It’s important to note that the depth of imaging is determined by the frequency of sound wave used. Lower frequency sound waves can penetrate deeper into the body but produce less detailed images.
Ultrasound is extensively used in the medical field. It is especially common in prenatal care where it is used to monitor the development of the foetus.
The procedure is considered safe as it does not involve the use of ionising radiation, unlike other imaging techniques such as X-rays or CT scans.
Several types of ultrasound are used in healthcare, including 2D, 3D, and Doppler ultrasounds. The choice of ultrasound to be used depends on what a healthcare provider is expecting to see.
However, special consideration must be given while using ultrasound for people with certain medical conditions, or for certain areas of the body, as it may produce false-positive or false-negative results.
The limits of ultrasound include its inability to penetrate bone and air. Therefore, ultrasound cannot be used to visualise bones or parts of the body that contain gas, such as lungs.
These principles and production processes of ultrasound translate to many practical applications, not only in diagnostics but also in treatments, such as destroying tumours or breaking up kidney stones.