Modern medicine is host to some of the most impressive creations on the planet. From surgical procedures to diagnostic tools, there are some truly remarkable developments within the medical field. While ultrasounds have been used for over fifty years in the medical field they remain among the most interesting and impressive creations in the field. If you’ve ever wondered about the specifics of just how an ultrasound machine works, here’s an explanation that should answer most of your questions.
Components
Image from: www.absolutemed.com
There are several different components that make up the construction of an ultrasound machine. Each one has a very specific purpose.
- Display Screen – The display is where the images created during the ultrasound will show up for monitoring by the ultrasound technician.
- Transducer – The transducer is the handheld probe that sends out the high frequency sound waves and then receives the echoes.
- CPU – The central processing unit of the ultrasound machine is the heart and brain of the entire system. It provides power and handles all of the complex calculations involved in an ultrasound.
- Controls – The control panel will switch between any available modes and will alter the frequency, duration, and amplitude of the sound pulses the ultrasound machine sends out.
- Keyboard – Information and measurements will be keyed in with the keyboard.
- Disc Drive – Just like your home computer, the ultrasound machine contains a hard disc drive to store images into its memory.
- Printer – The ultrasound machine will also print out the images selected by the sonography technician.
Basic Process
All of the different parts listed above work together during an ultrasound. Here’s the basic process.
Image refer: www.dbh.nhs.uk
- The transducer sends out bursts of sound waves into the body.
- The sound waves travel through the body, echoing back whenever the strike a surface such as fluid, organs, tissue, or bone.
- Each surface reflects sound at a unique strength and speed.
- The echoes are captured by the transducer and sent to the CPU
- Using the strength of the returning sound waves and the duration of time it took for them to return, the central processing unit creates a two dimensional image of the body.
- That image is then displayed on the monitor.
- The ultrasound technician adjusts the transducer until the part of the body that needs to be examined is in clear view. They then capture the image, much like taking a photograph
- Those captured images are then saved or printed and delivered to your physician for review.
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