What Can Ultrasound Machines do for you?

by Nicholas  

The applications of ultrasound machines are numerous and commonly used for obstetrics, echocardiography and biopsy just to name a few. Ultrasound Machines is a non-invasive way to provide invaluable valuable medical details compare to traditional tools and diagnosis techniques. In other word, it has greatly helped medicine become safer and more accurate. Here are some common functions of the process.

Ultrasound machines for obstetrics provide invaluable information about a woman’s pregnancy and her growing baby. The ultrasound scanning of uterus can view the baby’s current position, gender and condition. Such procedure can identify the conception date and ensure the fetus is in healthy development. The detailed scanning able to detect any abnormalities in the development of the fetus allowing doctor to make prompt decision for necessary treatment. Amniocentesis, a needle is inserted to take amniotic fluid for analysis cannot be done so easily without the help of ultrasound. Beside, it is effective tool for identifying general health of the baby, position of the placenta, ectopic pregnancy, potential miscarriage as well as early fetal death.

Aside from obstetric reasons, the thyroid gland, breasts bladder, spleen, and eyes for the presence of foreign objects can be detected through ultrasound machine. It is not uncommon tool to check the newborn babies in term of their brain, eye, internal organ such as the appendix and liver. The machine also used during fine needle biopsy procedures. It gives an actual moving image for guiding the needle to reach the specific spot correctly.

Fetal Ultrasound Image

Fetal Ultrasound Image

Ultrasound Scanning

Ultrasound Scanning

Echocardiography is a specific type of ultrasound for heart checking. It can be used to detect congenital heart disease. This may includes complications in the large blood vessels, blood clots in the heart chambers, heart muscle damage or enlargement or cardiomyopathy and pericarditis or inflammation of the pericardium. Echocardiography comes in very handy to identify disorders of heart valves. The velocity of blood flow through the heart indirectly can be measured using Doppler echocardiography. Malfunctioning valves in the case of aortic stenosis and mitral insufficiency ca be detected as well.

The functions of ultrasound procedures are largely depend on the organ to be diagnosed as well as the condition of the patients. Such medical procedure is very simple and quicker than you think. It needs neither special requirements nor special preparations. However, the procedure is advisable to be carried out only by trained medical professional in radiology.

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Ultrasound Technician

by Nicholas  

Ultrasound technicians are important partners in the field of health care professionals. This career field has a high demand for certified technicians, who use advanced technologies with imaging tools to assist managing patient care. Ultrasound technicians work with highly sensitive machines to provide a non invasive method of creating medical images for condition diagnoses.

Job Duties

In this exciting and challenging career choice, ultrasound technicians are instrumental providers in the health care field by performing ultrasound exams on patients. They also perform varied necessary patient assessments, collect, retrieve and interpret data from advanced diagnostic tools. After completing assessments, technologists provide written reports and imaging patient data summaries, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests and x-rays, to assist physician partners with correct medical diagnoses and patient health management.

Salary Levels

Salary levels in this exciting health care field currently give the potential to earn a good income. For certified ultrasound technicians, the mean annual salary is listed at around $63,000. In some specialty areas, compensation may be higher depending on experience and individual State guidelines.

Employment Prospects

Pregnant woman having ultrasound scan performed by female ultrasound technician in hospital

The future for ultrasound technician careers is one of high demand and is very promising for steady employment in various sectors. Certified ultrasound technicians are needed for work in civilian and military medical facilities. In hospitals, certified technicians usually maintain 40 hour work weeks with flexible scheduling around the clock to serve patients. Specialty imaging centers have a consistent need for certified ultrasound technicians. Ultrasound employment opportunities are also available for certified technicians in doctor offices, specialty clinics and in private/State owned medical laboratories.

Necessary Skills

Technicians need to be very precise, independent, self-motivated and detail-oriented when capturing medical images for analysis. Ultrasound technicians gather important information, take measurements, evaluate data and perform various calculations to create patient images. Precise details in developing medical images are crucial in assisting doctors to make accurate patient diagnoses.

Education Requirements

Potential ultrasound technologists must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent and successfully complete an approved training course. Approved training options in ultrasound include a certificate, an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. A person can receive an ultrasound technician certificate in 1-2 years from an approved program, an associate’s degree from an accredited college in 2-3 years or a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in ultrasound in 4 years with full-time study.

Licensure

Currently, there is no licensure requirement in this health care field.

Training

After completing an approved program to become a certified ultrasound technician, extra training may be required for imaging work in specialty areas, such as obstetric and gynecologic sonography or podiatry. Ultrasound technologists are usually required to participate in a Continuing Education program to keep their imaging skills current and complete training on new technology imaging equipment.

This career field will remain one of high demand as ultrasound technicians provide valuable services in managing patient care. As advanced technology continues to improve, ultrasound technicians will continue to perform as committed health care partners by providing excellent, specialized care in medical imaging.

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3D & 4D Fetal Ultrasound Scan

by Nicholas  

Do you want to see your baby even before he or she being born? Yes, seeing your own baby on a screen is indeed a very exciting moment especially at your very first time in your life. Fetal ultrasound machine is a great technology breakthrough which allowing you to see the profile and condition of your baby in 3D as well as 4D images. Many people get to know the gender of the baby, but more important function of the machine is to evaluate the growth and development of the fetus. In other word, this medical practice is intended for abnormalities detection.

3D Fetal Ultrasound Image

Fetal ultrasound machines can be used at anytime during the pregnancy. However, most women are offered an ultrasound between 18 and 20 weeks that is commonly known as the anomaly scan. The standard ultrasound takes about 20 minutes in 2D images. The baby’s gestational age, growth and development is the objective of the scan. Detecting problems in the body will require more advanced equipment (advanced ultrasound) by providing 3D images that can easily take about 30 minutes to several hours.

Routine ultrasounds can be used for pregnancy confirmation by detecting current location of developing fetus. Professional trained medical staff able to treat ectopic or tubal pregnancy by knowing the exact location of the fetus. This could be a very crucial process before the mother’s health is being threatened. It also can help you determine the number of babies present should you have a multiple pregnancy. Besides, you will be able to know your baby’s gestational age. Thus, knowing the due date and different milestones of the pregnancy shall no longer a mystery. Other than that, your doctor is able to analyze the baby’s breathing, heart rate and movement too.
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Breast Ultrasound Scan

by Nicholas  

Breast ultrasound is non-invasive and painless medical procedure. It requires you to expose the area to be examined to high-frequency sound vibrations so that any abnormalities like lumps, masses and cysts can be detected. In other words, it uses sound vibrations in order to see tissues inside the breast. The process does not involve X-rays and possibly harmful kinds of radiation, thus Breast Ultrasound Machine is considered very safe and effective.

Breast Ultrasound

Breast Ultrasound

Breast ultrasound images can identify the cause of many breast symptoms like redness, pain and swelling. And it is capable to see the features and nature of breast anomalies such as solid or fluid-filled. Therefore, doctors can determine whether the lump or tumour is cancerous or not. Of course, more tests will be required either with fluid or one without any fluid if necessary. Doppler techniques could be used to check the blood circulation in the areas as masses generally will lack of blood flow.

The ultrasound can also confirm with abnormal results found during mammography. For those people with dense breasts and who have silicone breast implant, ultrasound is good to present details accurately instead of mammogram. Besides, breast surgery and biopsy will need the guidance of ultrasound. Needle insertion procedure to drain fluids that accumulate in cysts or abscesses could be impossible without the present of ultrasound. Clear gel will be placed on intended areas. It feels a bit cold at first. You will then feel the transducer in contact with your body.
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Ultrasound Technologist Career Facts

by Nicholas  

An ultrasound technologist is trained to use equipment that directs high frequency sound waves into a patient’s body. The echoes are interpreted by the equipment to form an image on screen of the internal makeup of the body, which is used for medical assessment and diagnosis. Another part of the job description is to view the fetus in the womb of a pregnant woman. Ultrasounds are commonly used in the field of obstetrics but are also used for diagnostics in gynecological, abdominal, neurological and ophthalmic areas of medicine.

An ultrasound technician is not only required to operate the machinery and interpret the results. Other parts of the job include talking to the patient and explain the procedure, directing the patient in order to obtain the best images, selecting images for other medical professionals to review and maintaining the ultrasound equipment.

To be successful in this career, there are various skills that every technician needs to be proficient in. These include the ability to operate the ultrasound machine and interpret the images; attention to detail to select appropriate images and spot areas to concentrate on; good verbal and social skills in order to communicate effectively with patients; and the physical ability to help patients into an optimum position. [Read more...]

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Ultrasound Massager

by Nicholas  

An ultrasound massager offers a high-tech, low-impact way to treat aching muscles and loosen spasms. Standard massagers often violently shake tense muscles soft. Their noise and pounding can irritate you. Ultrasonic massagers use high frequency sound to stimulate your tissue, eliminating the noise and impacts of outdated massagers.

What is Ultrasound?

Sound vibrations travel in waves. How frequently waves follow each other is called frequency. You sense frequency in a sound’s pitch, not its volume. Science measures it in waves per second called Hertz (Hz). Most people cannot hear frequencies below 20 Hz. For comparison, a piano’s lowest note vibrates 27 times per second, or 27 Hz. Its highest note vibrates beyond 4,000 times per second, just one-fifth the highest tone you can hear. Ultrasound frequencies exceed 20,000 Hz, or 20 kilohertz (kHz). Ultrasound simply means sound vibrating faster than you hear.

UltrasoundMassager

Woman Getting Ultrasound Massage

Uses of Ultrasound

Though we do not hear them, ultrasonic waves still shake things, the way a booming bass speaker shakes a window. A 30 kHz frequency, for example, vibrates enough to clean tarnish from jewelry, without damaging the jewelry itself. You have probably seen an ultrasound photo of a fetus. That takes wavelengths from 2 million to 18 million Hertz, or 2 to 18 megahertz (MHz), almost 1,000 times the highest audible frequencies.

How Ultrasonic Massagers Work

Usually starting at 1 MHz, ultrasound massagers send sound waves deep into your tissue, vibrating on cellular levels. These pulses loosen your muscles, help your blood flow, and heal injuries quicker. How deep the vibrations reach has less to do with frequency than intensity. You sense intensity as volume. Just like the louder, you shout the more easily you are heard through a wall, louder ultrasound more easily penetrates solid objects. The difference is, you will never hear this because the frequency is already too high.

Which Design Will Work Best For You?

Massagers using ultrasound have different head sizes. Larger heads treat broader areas, and narrow heads more focused areas. Some models have interchangeable heads. You can also adjust frequencies and volume on many models. One MHz works fine for most things, but injuries take more. Higher intensity, or volume, reaches deeper tissue.

Is an Ultrasonic Massage Safe?

Ultrasound waves are the same as any other sound waves. Sound waves pass through you all the time without hurting you. This most advanced of massage technology is very safe, but you still can talk with your doctor to make sure you get the kind that is best for you.

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Preparation Prior to the Ultrasound Examination

by Nicholas  

Comparing to other traditional diagnostic techniques and technology, getting ready for ultrasound scanning doesn’t take too much effort and time. Ultrasound machines are wisely use in clinics and hospital these days. Most of the procedures require no special preparation whatsoever. However, the following are some useful guidelines for you before you taking up the medical procedure.

Preparation prio to ultrasound?

Any preparation prio to ultrasound?

It is always a good practice to consult your doctor first on what you need to be ready before you heading to the clinic. You may require coming with empty stomach or perhaps a full bladder depending on the organ to be checked. For pregnancy woman, the full bladder will make the imaging better as the extra bulge displaces intestine loops. So, don’t urinate before the test and drink more water prior to the scanning. On the other hand, ultrasound scan on a liver will require patients to fast several hours before the procedure taking place.

Babies aging 1 year old and above should keep their bladder full by drinking more water before the scan. However, you should not feed babies aging 2 months old 2 hours before the test for abdominal ultrasound scan. Drinking and eating are strictly prohibited for babies aging 3 up to 12 months prior to the procedure. No food and drink intake for children from 1 to 8 years old 5-hour before the test. Six hours prior to ultrasound test, individuals above 8 years old are also prohibited to take any kind of food and drink. [Read more...]

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What You Don’t Know About Ultrasound Machines

by Nicholas  

Ultrasound machines can provide invaluable information in diagnosis of diseases and conditions. It allows most disorders to be detected earlier, thus allowing treatment to start more quickly and accurately. The applications of ultrasound machines include biomedical applications as well as industrial applications. As a matter of fact, it could be considered as the most used equipment either in clinics or hospital these days. Ultrasound is far more effective and safe compared to those old techniques practiced in decades past. However, how much do we understand about the process? And do you really need it? Let’s look into it application one by one in general.

Ultrasound Image

Ultrasound Image

Ultrasound machines have been used for a minimum of 50 years among human beings. As we all know, cyclic sound pressure having a frequency higher than the human hearing upper limit is called ultrasound. The average lower limit is 20 kilohertz. On the other hand, the upper limit can be varying depending on individual. An accurate measurement can be obtained based on the reflection projected by the focused energy as it penetrates the intended medium. Taking photo of babies inside the uterus is one of the most popular applications of ultrasound. Medical sonography or ultrasonography is a medical imaging technique used for diagnosis. By using real time tomographic images, it can visualize internal organs, muscles and other specifics such as the structure, size and present lesions.

Ultrasound in biomedical uses is for therapeutic purposes, together with medications. Therapeutic ultrasound machines are often used in physical therapy, occupational therapy and cancer treatment. It uses more powerful sources to create local heating among body tissues. Phacoemulsification is the procedure used for treating cataracts by using focused ultrasound. High intensity focused ultrasound or HIFU is also highly effective in treating malignant and benign tumors. Abdominal ultrasound, rectal ultrasound in men and vaginal ultrasound in women is the ideal procedure in detecting pelvic abnormalities. Besides, ultrasound is a good guide tool in cosmetic surgery such as liposuction. Elastography, lipectomy, sclerotherapy and endovenous laser treatment are some of the procedures that may also involve the use of ultrasound. [Read more...]

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The Development of Ultrasound Machines

by Nicholas  

Big thanks to the evolving technology in quick manner, ultrasound machines have shown to be quite effective and useful in accurately diagnosis underlying conditions and diseases. People nowadays don’t have to bear with time consuming and painful diagnosis techniques used back in those old days. In the early days, Medical Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging) is also regarded as ultrasound scanner.

In 1794, Lazzaro Spallanzani from Italy discovered how bats can accurately navigate in the dark using echo reflection from inaudible sound in high frequency. Dr. Jean-Daniel Colladon from Switzerland at the other hand found out the speed of sound in Lake Geneva by using a bell underwater back in 1826. But the fundamental physics of sound waves, refraction, propagation and transmission had been identified by physicists only during the later 1800s.

Old Ultrasound Machine

Old Ultrasound Machine

The discovery of piezo-electric effect by Pierre Curie and Jacques Curie from France in 1880 marked the breakthrough of the development in ultrasound application. Since then, people started to realize that ultrasound generation and receiving is in megahertz. However the very first sonar detection system was used in measuring distance using sound waves underwater.

In 1942, Dr. Karl Theodore Dussik from Austria investigated transmission ultrasound in the brain. He published several interesting findings ultrasonics in medical diagnosis. Dr. Ian Donald started working on experiments involving the industrial ultrasonic metal flaw detector on July 21, 1955. He was the one who proved that sonar is very effective in detecting and differentiating fibroids, abdominal tumors and cysts. The works of Dr. Ian Donald and his colleagues from Glasgow have led to the wider use of the ultrasound in present medical practice. [Read more...]

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