The History of Medical Sonography

The historical development of the sonography dates back to the early 20th Century.

Applications of medical sonography or ultrasound are commonplace in today’s medical setting, especially in obstetrics and gynecology. Most parents-to-be have seen and likely have copies of images of their unborn child taken with sonography technology. The historical development of the sonography dates back to the early 20th century.

Early Sonography Developments

Sonar detection technology for submarines created during World War I truly launched the development of sonography.

While there was research in the 18th and 19th centuries, it focused on sonic vibration and similar effects. The sonar detection technology for submarines created during World War I truly launched the development of sonography. By the end of World War II, radar was under constant development and improvement and gave rise to a two-dimensional sonar system, an important step in sonography’s development. By the late 40s, medical ultrasonic technology had arrived. These developments were augmented by pulse-echo that was used to study metal, particularly the hulls of ships and armor plating for cracks and other flaws.

Early Sonography Applications

Initially, ultrasound in medicine was used for therapeutic applications rather than diagnostic.

Initially, ultrasound in medicine was used for therapeutic applications rather than diagnostic. Sound waves can create pain or was noted for having killed schools of fish when transmitted through water. Such awareness lead researchers to development treatment techniques for Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, gastric ulcers and even carcinomas. Wild claims emerged during the 1940s pronouncing sonography a remedy for everything, yet there was no scientific data to backup the claims.

Diagnostic Sonography Begins

Using sonography or ultrasound as a diagnostic tool emerged in the 1950s.

Using sonography or ultrasound as a diagnostic tool emerged in the 1950s. Already used in a wide variety of applications outside medicine such as spot welding laundering, sterilization and many other functions, sonography saw a break-through in the mid-1950s when two U.S. scientists built the first scanning device to produce cross-sectional ultrasound images. The latter half of the decade saw a flurry of scientific activity and in 1964, Physionics Engineering® Inc. was created by three University of Colorado researchers who built the first articulated scanner that became an accepted design for years to come.

Sonography Developments

Beginning in the mid-1960s, gynecological and obstetric application of sonography became a research favorite in Japan, Europe and the U.S.

Beginning in the mid-1960s, gynecological and obstetric application of sonography became a research favorite in Japan, Europe and the U.S. As researchers delved deeper into the technology and its applications, new companies appeared and new technological advances were announced. Sonography was now used as a noninvasive diagnostic tool and the articulated arm scanner was the most prevalent tool design in the world. The First World Congress on Ultrasonic Diagnostics in Medicine was convened in 1969 with a second to follow in 1972. The pioneers of sonography gathered to consider the future of their technologies and methodologies. In 1973, the U.S. Office of Education created the occupation of sonographer, considered a major moment in the history of sonography.

Contemporary Sonography

Today, there is sonography or ultrasound equipment that is portable and incredibly compact. It can be deployed on a battlefield or in a space shuttle.

As of July 2010, there is sonography or ultrasound equipment that is portable and incredibly compact. It can be deployed on a battlefield or in a space shuttle. In addition to obstetrics and gynecology, medical sonographers specialize in other areas including the eye, the brain, blood vessels, abdominal organs, the heart and the breasts. Today’s equipment is a far-cry from the cumbersome machines of yesterday. Streamlined and maneuverable, contemporary sonography is a rapidly developing field.

References

• Joseph SA Woo: A Short History of the Development of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology; Part 1
• Joseph SA Woo: A Short History of the Development of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology; Part 2
• Joseph SA Woo: A Short History of the Development of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology; Part 3
• Radiology Today: Ultrasound History
• PubMed: History of High Frequency Sonography

Resources

• Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography