What is an Ultrasound?
What is ultrasound you might ask? Simply put, ultrasound is sound with greater frequency than the audible range. Ultrasound has a frequency that is much more than our hearing range. Its maximum frequency, which is 20 kilohertz (which is well beyond the range of hearing we have), is almost unimaginable. However, ultrasound can be used in many practical ways. It is utilized by doctors to identify patients and to design medical equipment.
Ultrasonic imaging has been around since the 18th century. Professor Ian Donald, an engineer from Glasgow University developed the first ultrasound machine. This machine was used to examine the wife director of the company. He used industrial ultrasound equipment from Babcock & Wilcox to study the anatomical characteristics of different specimens in order to determine the best frequency. Tom Brown assisted him in modifying the equipment to be used for patients.
In abdominal ultrasound imaging, the ultrasound beam is swept to create a two-dimensional picture of the body. Either the ultrasound probe can be mechanically swept using a swinging mechanism or rotating mechanism or electronically scanned. To create the image, the data received is processed. Two-dimensional images are used to make an image that is 3D of the human body. 1964 saw the debut of the first commercial water bath ultrasonic scanner. The first 3D images were made. Meyerdirk & Wright began production of the first compound contact-B-mode scanner several years later in other countries.
Utilizing ultrasound for medical diagnosis is a common practice. The device uses a transducer, the generator of pulses for the transmitter, a focusing system, a digital processor, and displays. You can use it for abdominal, gynecological (urological), and cerebrovascular exams. It is flexible and useful in the field of healthcare. It’s becoming more popular as a diagnostic tool.
In the 1950s, the Professor Ian Donald of Glasgow developed the technique. His wife, a business director, was first to utilize ultrasonics following her being diagnosed with cancer of the bowel. He used industrial ultrasound devices to evaluate the ultrasonic properties and anatomical specimens. Meyerdirk & Wright produced their first commercial compound contact B mode scanner in 1962. The process was improved over time to create 3D images.
Ultrasonic technology was developed by using sonar technology during the 1940s. The equipment transmits short bursts of sound to the desired target. The different devices or surfaces reflect the echoes. The distance to the transmitting object influences the frequency of sound. Medical ultrasound is therefore used for medical research. In addition to its clinical advantages, the use of ultrasound has been utilized in clinical environments from the 1960s onwards.
Ultrasonic imaging began to be utilized by medical professionals in clinics and hospitals in 1953. Gustav Ludwig Hertz, a graduate student at Lund University’s department of nuclear physics, asked his father if it was possible for radar to be used to view inside the body. Hertz confirmed that it was possible. Hertz was an expert on radiation and was familiar with the ultrasonic reflectoscopes of Floyd Firestone. Hertz as well as Edler quickly came up with the idea of using ultrasound in medicine.
The beam of ultrasound must be swept to get an accurate picture of the organ. A 2D image of the organ may be possible depending on the shape and type of the organ. The ultrasound probe is small and flexible. The beam is visible to the human eye as it is moving. The ultrasound scanner beam, however, is not as thin as the human eye. It is sensitive, and it can give precise images.
The ultrasonic probe generates a two-dimensional image. One of them is electronic, and the two other types are mechanical. The data is then processed to produce an image. The images are 2-D representations of slices of the body. Most 3D images are produced through multiple 2D images. In some cases, ultrasound is a vital tool for treating diseases and improving the quality of life. For instance, it can help to identify cancerous tumors as well as other forms of cancer.
Ultrasonic technology works by detecting defects in the materials. An X-ray or ultrasound machine can detect flaws in a variety of materials, including metals while a piezoelectric transducer can detect the same flaws with a pulsating ultrasound. A curved or broken piece of metal can be identified by an arc-shaped wave. A weaker beam can cause internal organ damage.
