Ultrasound machines are an amazing tool; not only do they let you see an unborn child, but they are used to detect broken bones, illnesses and injuries. Ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses high frequency sound waves and their echoes.
How It Works
Ultrasound machines, like the HP/Phillips SONOS 5500, transmit high-frequency sound pulses into the body using a probe. The sound waves then travel into the body and hit a boundary between tissues. Some of the sound waves get reflected back to the probe, while some travel on until they reach another boundary and get reflected. The reflected waves are picked up by the probe and relayed to the machine. The machine calculates the distance from the probe to the tissue or organ using the speed of sound in tissues and the time of each echoes return. The machine displays the distances and intensities of the echoes on the screen, forming a two dimensional image. In a typical ultrasound, millions of pulses and echoes are sent and received each second. The probe can be moved along the surface of the body and angled to obtain various views.
Uses of Ultrasounds
Acuson Sequoia C512 Ultrasound Machines are used in a variety of settings, including obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology and cancer detection. The main advantage is that certain areas can be observed without using radiation and can also be done much faster then x-rays or other radiographic techniques.
- Obstetrics and Gynecology: Used for measuring the size of the fetus to determine due date, determining the position of the fetus, checking the position of the placenta, number of fetuses, checking sex of baby, fetus's growth rate, monitoring baby during special procedures, seeing tumors of the ovary or breast.
- Cardiology: Seeing the inside of the heart to identify abnormal structure or functions, measuring blood flow through the heart and major blood vessels.
- Urology: Measuring blood flow through the kidney, seeing kidney stones, detecting prostate cancer early.
Future of Ultrasound Machines
As with all computer technology, ultrasound machines will just continue to get better, faster and more efficient. 3D ultrasound machines are becoming more highly developed and popular. The entire machine will get smaller, perhaps even handheld for field use. With these advances you can be sure to turn to The Physician's Resource. We offer the latest advancements and tools at highly competitive prices.