Ultrasound began with an interest in one of the basic senses of the human body. It was many years ago, in ancient times, that scientists started exploring the aspect of sound which eventually led to the invention of the sonometer, by the well-known mathematician named Pythagoras. (Essentials of Sonography) In 1793, however, a new discovery brought about a whole new perspective to sound waves. Dr. Lazarro Spallanzi fell upon an idea that the common bat was able to get around without vision. His experiments proved that the bat was able to regard his surroundings by his unique listening abilities unknown by man. This was only the beginning to a mature science that continues with strong progression to this day. (Brief History of Ultrasound)
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Today we have not only 3D and 4D ultrasounds but we also have hand-carried units that are functional due to one SINGLE chip that contains millions of transducers, and it weighs not even ten pounds. These small units originated for the purpose of the aiding the wounded on the battlefield, but have become a convenient tool for even space stations to utilize. There are especially smaller HCUs about the size of the everyday smartphone, and new technology has made it possible to use the actual smart phone alone with a connectable transducer, to be used as an ultrasonic device (Essentials of Sonography). However, HCUs are not exactly as precise as the bigger devices. Obstacles such as the inability to capture images for patient records and poor imaging of veins, the carotid artery, and other close-to-the-surface body structures, are still being studied (Prospective Advancements in Ultrasound Imaging).
There is still much to learn about Diagnostic Ultrasound, but in many ways its evolution has become a very important aspect of the medical field throughout the world. Its low cost makes it an easy candidate for MANY therapeutic and diagnostic treatments, and an especially useful tool for eliminating much of the guessing in pregnancy. There is still A LOT to learn in this field and procedures in need of perfecting, but the constant progress shows a promising future for this technology (Prospective
As an ultrasound technician/sonographer I will have the ability to see dangerous defects within the human anatomy and begin a lifelong profession with many benefits. The Ultrasound was first invented in the early 1900’s and was surprisingly not used to produce photos of a fetus. In 1917 Paul Langen a marine life scientist used a form of ultrasound equipment in his attempt to detect submarines. After many failed attempts at using high frequency sound waves Dr. Ian Donald and his team in Glasgow, Scotland invented the first ultrasound machine in 1957. Dr. Donald even tested his machine on patients within a year of completing the invention, by the late 1950’s ultrasounds became routine in Glasgow hospitals.
I have always been fascinated with the medical field ever since I was little, my first choice for electives were always health science and anatomy classes. After my cousin, Deanna, had her first child and receive her first ultrasound, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The ultrasound technician had made her feel so comforted and just made the entire experience enjoyable for everyone; I’m eager to be able to start my life with a job that I know I will love. Anytime that I meet someone who is in the field themselves, I always ask questions and listen to what they do throughout the day to get some real insight on what being a technician really entails.
During pregnancy an echocardiogram of the fetus can be done to produce images of the heart by sending ultrasonic sound waves to the vital organ. These sound waves create an image for the physician to analyze the babies heart function, structure sizes, and blood flow. A positive diagnosis before birth has shown to improve chances of survival, and will allow for appropriate care to be readily available at birth. If a baby is born without being diagnosed with the heart defect, some symptoms previous noted such as low oxygen levels can be suggestive of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The baby may not display any symptoms or signs for hours after birth because of the openings allowing for blood to be pumped to the rest of the body. However, listening to the babies heart can revel a murmur indicating an irregular flow of blood in the heart. If a murmur is heard, or signs of the defect are observed, diagnostic tests will be ordered and performed. An echocardiogram is still the go-to test once the baby is born to evaluate the heart. The echocardiogram will diagnose the newborn, by revealing the underdeveloped left ventricle, mitral and aortic valve, and the ascending aorta commonly seen in
On ultrasound there is a live fetus in transverse presentation. Fetal biometry is symmetric and consistent with dates. A detailed anatomic survey was unremarkable, although the spine and 4-chamber heart were
There are several techniques of prenatal screening. The most common is blood testing. It is used to determine the blood type and Rh factor of a mother and the fetus. This is to prevent the complication caused by antigen-antibody reaction of Rh group of the mother and the fetus which may lead to haemolytic anemia. Besides that, blood test is also able to detect some of the blood borne diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B, C and D and rubella. Ultrasound, on the other hand, can determine the growth and development of a fetus in the amniotic sac. It can detect structural defects such as spinal bifida and anencephaly, congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal and kidney malformations and cleft lip. Furthermore, genetic test is used to determine the chromosome condit...
Physics for medical imaging, RF Farr and PJ Allisy Roberts. Basic physics for medical imaging, Edwin GA Aird. Physics and Instrumentation of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound, Peter Fish.
Anything from helping a patient discover an issue in their body to allow them to get proper treatment to seeing the smiling faces of a future parent as they see their unborn child can be extremely rewarding for an ultrasound technician. Many people want to choose the path of an ultrasound technician as their career path in life, but getting started can seem complicated. With some good planning and helpful tips, you can be well on your way to a great career as an ultrasound technician.
Rebecca is a 31yo G2 P1001 who was seen for an ultrasound evaluation and FTS. She overall denies any major medical disorders other than she is hypothyroid and on replacement therapy. She also has a history of a LEEP procedure but that occurred in 2012. She did have a full-term delivery over 2 years later that went to 39 ½ weeks with an 8 lb 12 oz infant. Overall on today’s assessment, she has no complaints.
In general, ultrasound waves produced by an instrument called transducer are sent into a patient. Some of the waves are absorbed, but the other portion of these waves are reflected when tissue and organ boundaries are encountered. The echoes produced by the reflected waves are then picked up by the transducer and translated in a visible picture often referred to as ultrasound. In the paragraphs that follow, the physics of how the transducer functions, what the ultrasound waves do, and how the image is formed will be explained.
Choosing this field is something that has a profound connection with my personal life. Becoming a Diagnostic Medical sonographer would mean that I have accomplished life long dream. Ever since I was a little, I always wanted to be in the medical field. I have always had a big heart and wanted to help people so when I saw the important role that sonographers play in the medical field, it became clear to me that being a sonographer was exactly what I want to do with my life. In 2007 someone who was very important to me passed away due to gastric cancer. When my grandmother, who was a mother, father, and a friend to me, was diagnosed with gastric cancer my world collapsed. It was devastating news, not only for me but also for the whole family.
Ultrasounds are the standard procedure for visualizing a fetus to establish certain conditions and to identify abnormalities. Traditionally, two-dimensional (2D) ultrasounds have been used, but in recent years three-dimensional (3D) and real time three-dimensional (4D) have been introduced. With these new options it is important to know the risks and benefits of 2D ultrasounds versus 3D/4D ultrasounds.
One of the applications used is ultrasound. Ultrasound scans have been used in obstetrics and has completely changed the way the health of pregnant women is managed. As ultrasounds do not use ionising radiation it is a safe method of scanning both mother and foetus for abnormalities. As a result, it is now easier to detect normal pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy and to assess the foetus for any irregularities. This has led to a higher chance of getting a positive outcome for both the mother and the unborn child.
[IMAGE] * Ultrasound Ultrasound was another application of physics which I saw in QueensElizabethHospital . The use of ultrasound which I saw was the ultrasound scan. This is mainly used for pregnant women to see if the foetus has any abnormalities, or check on progress and growth. The rays in ultrasound have a very high frequency which is above the human audible range. Here you can see an image made using ultrasound to see a foetus's progress, growth and if the foetus has any abnormalities.[IMAGE] Gamma camera.
Images of human anatomy have been around for more than 500 years now. From the sketches created by Leonardo da Vinci, to the modern day Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, images have played a great role in medicine. Evolution in medical imaging brought together people from various disciplines such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, a collaboration which has further contributed to healthcare as a whole. Modern day imaging improves medical workflows by facilitating a non-invasive insight into human body, accurate and timely diagnostics, and persistence of an analysis.