About Ultrasound
For medical purposes, an ultrasound refers to a procedure, often diagnostic, that uses sound waves to produce an image of the inside of the human body. It is widely used to measure growing fetuses and determine developmental problems, as well as examine internal problems invisible to the naked eye.
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History of
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Ultrasound was first developed during World War II to search for submerged objects. In the United States, Dr. George Ludwig first used the technique for medical purposes in the 1940s. Ludwig and his colleague Charles Kirby hypothesized that ultrasound might be useful for locating gallstones, and so Ludwig began testing the procedure on animal tissue. His findings were published in a report in 1949. Ultrasounds are now a common medical procedure, and their use has expanded beyond gallstones.
The Facts
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Ultrasound simply refers to sound waves with frequencies higher than those detectable by the human ear (typically more than 20,000 hertz). In regards to medicine, ultrasound waves are used to create an image of the inside of the body. These waves bounce off tissues inside the body, creating echos, which are then used to form a real-time, accurate image of the body.
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Features
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The measuring equipment includes a sound-wave emitting probe. This probe sends out sound waves, and receives their echos. These echos are sent to a sonographic scanner, which interprets the echos to determine the size, shape, depth and what the internal object is made of (fluid, solid). The scanner uses this information to produce an image, highlighting and dimming certain areas as appropriate.
Function
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Ultrasonic imaging, or sonography, is used both as a diagnostic tool and for treatment. The ultrasound waves enable things inside the body to be measured, such as fetuses, gallstones, kidney stones, cysts or other growths. It can also be used to examine internal organs. Ultrasound aids in treatment by serving as a guiding tool for procedures such as needle biopsies.
Benefits
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Ultrasounds provide a generally pain free, non-invasive tool for diagnostics. An ultrasound is able to capture more information about soft tissue than an x-ray can, though it has trouble with harder tissue such as bone. They do not expose the body to radiation, and there are no known harmful effects. Ultrasounds are also readily available, and less expensive than other diagnostic or treatment options.
Evolution
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Most ultrasounds create 2D, grayscale images. Increasing levels of technology have started to allow for 3D ultrasounds. Sometimes, hues are also added to the picture. Color Doppler ultrasounds in particular use color to create a visual of blood flow through the blood vessels.
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Resources
- Photo Credit RadiologyInfo
