What Is Ultrasound Gel?
Many people are acquainted with the colorless, green or blue goo that is squirted onto the bellies of pregnant women at the beginning of an ultrasound. The gel serves several important purposes.
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Ultrasound Gel
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Ultrasound gel is water-based. It is used for all types of ultrasound exams, including obstetric, vascular and cardiac.
Types of Gel
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There are many brands of ultrasound gel varying in consistency. Some sonographers--those who specialize in ultrasound imaging--prefer thicker gels, while others prefer thinner. The type of gel does not affect the quality of the ultrasound and is chosen based on the sonographer's preference.
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Movement
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Ultrasound requires many types of movement by the sonographer. Many of these are subtle and require a frictionless surface to allow the sonographer to obtain the perfect image. Ultrasound gel acts as a lubricant that allows for easy movement of the transducer (camera) across the skin.
Contact
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When air is present, a signal is not returned to the ultrasound machine to create an image. Ultrasound gel removes the air between the skin and the transducer so ultrasound waves can move freely between the body and the transducer.
Standoff Pad
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Most ultrasound cameras cannot focus on structures that are too close to the surface of the skin. A thick layer of ultrasound gel can be applied to the skin to distance the camera from the structure for better focus.
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