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 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.

For your information, veterinary clinics also use ultrasound machines in veterinary practices. The application of such technology requires no special preparation so it very easy to be implemented. Thus, it is widely used in treating detecting any anomalies in sick pets. It can be used for pregnant dogs, treating lesions and tumors too. Mammals can hear higher frequencies than humans. However most of them are not able to hear the sound frequencies as good as insects. So it is not surprise that ultrasound machines are among the most used equipment in veterinary clinics.

Not many people fully understand how ultrasound machines work even though they are among the most used equipment in clinics and hospitals. You may understand through this article that ultrasound is more effective and safe compared to other traditional tools. But bear in mind that ultrasound imaging is still a medical procedure, so it should only be administered by a medical professional trained in radiology. You can expect a novice to interpret the results in proper manner. Nevertheless, an expert is necessary to regulate the equipment to avoid long term exposure to ultrasound waves as it may cause negative physical side effects in long run.

Woman Getting Ultrasound Massage

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.

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.