Uses For Ultrasound Imaging

Some medical devices are more commony used than others. Some are extremely specialized, and others have multiple uses. One device that is widely used in many different areas of medicine is ultrasound. It is valuable in helping doctors locate and treat illnesses and just in monitoring what is going on in the body.

Ultrasound imaging uses high frequency sound waves and sends them into a body. These waves bounce off of whatever is inside, and those reflections are transferred into an image on the monitor. This is a very safe method of internal viewing, when compared with other methods such as x-ray. It is safe enough to be used on fetuses in the womb, and this is one of the very important uses of ultrasounds.

The sound waves are normally sent down directly into the body, andy they reflect of tissue and bones producing a 2D picture. 3D ultrasounds can also be done, but in these, the waves are sent down at different angles and the images are combined to create the 3D effect. 4D ultrasound is when these images are recorded in rapid succession and play together to show movement of the fetus.

In obstetrics, ultrasound is commonly used at the mid-way point of pregnancy to measure the baby, check vitals, locate the placenta, and determine if there are any potential defects or abnormalities with the child. It is also used to inform the parents of the gender of the baby and determine a more accurate due date.

Outside of obstetrics, ultrasound is highly effective in diagnosing problems within the body. Muscles, tendons and ligaments can be viewed in a diagnostic ultrasonogram. Ultrasound is also used with Doppler measurements for vascular ultrasounds. These images are made with a lower frequency and can determine the direction and velocity of blood flow. A color Doppler ultrasound displays images of veins and arteries in color according to the flow of blood.

Ultrasounds may sometimes be carried out by regular doctors, but in most instances, an ultrasound technician is responsible for producing ultrasound scans. These sonographers have attended special schooling to learn about computer technology and all of the necessary elements that go into giving, understanding, and interpreting ultrasound scans.

Another important application of the ultrasound is in aiding surgical procedures. It is not always necessary that a surgery be invasive, and ultrasound technology allows a doctor to see inside in order to guide cameras, needles, and even tiny scalpels to make incisions without the need to open up the patient. It is also used during amniocentesis and other procedures on fetuses in the womb.

Aside from the many uses listed above, ultrasound is sometimes used at a greater intensity for therapeutic purposes on damaged tissue and muscles. Really, the ultrasound is among the most valuable and universally used tools doctors have at their fingertips today.

 





Ultrasound News:

 

Senate panel backs bill to require ultrasound before abortion .
The Senate Committee on Education and Health today voted to require a woman to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion...


Ultrasound Scanning of PIP Implants to Begin - IcelandReview

IcelandReview

Ultrasound Scanning of PIP Implants to Begin
IcelandReview
The 440 women in Iceland who have PIP breast implants, which have proven to be prone to rupturing and contain industrial silicone instead of the medical variant, can order free ultrasound scanning at the Icelandic Cancer Society as of next week.
'My boob implants swelled to the size of my head. then EXPLODED!' says .Daily Mail
Model Claims Breast Implants Swelled, ExplodedLimeLife (blog)
GPs must show more sympathy to patients with PIP implantsPulse
Scientist -Radio 1
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Tim Tebow inspires gift for Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Program
After watching the comeback of Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow against the Chicago Bears Dec...


Senate panel backs bill to require ultrasound before abortion - Daily Press

Daily Press

Senate panel backs bill to require ultrasound before abortion
Daily Press
26--Women seeking an abortion would be required to have an ultrasound prior to the procedure under a controversial bill that narrowly cleared the Senate Education and Health committee Thursday. Senate Bill 279 and it's companion, SB 484, passed along .
Bill would require ultrasound before abortionBowling Green Daily News
Va. Senate panel OKs requiring ultrasound before abortionThe Virginian-Pilot
Kentucky State Senator Reintroduces Mandatory Ultrasound BillRH Reality Check (blog)
NECN -Louisville Courier-Journal
all 115 news articles »
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Proposed Bill Calls for Ultrasound Before Abortion
Lynchburg, VA EUR Republican Del. Kathy Bryon is proposing a bill that would require a pregnant woman to have an ultrasound before an abortion. Bryon, who represents the 22nd District, says she is more confident in it this time around, calling the bill "medically responsible."..


Poll: Majority of Virginians support required ultrasound before abortion
RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Few subjects churn out passion and debate in Virginia's General Assembly quite as effectively as the topic of abortion rights...


Kings notes: Injured Thornton to sit out 1-2 weeks - Sacramento Bee

TSN

Kings notes: Injured Thornton to sit out 1-2 weeks
Sacramento Bee
The injury was diagnosed after an ultrasound test on Thornton's leg. Thornton was found to have a left thigh contusion and missed three games after being kneed in his leg by Orlando center Dwight Howard as he set a screen Jan. 8.
Thornton to miss 1-2 weeks with hematomaCBSSports.com (blog)
Kings' Thornton out 1-2 weeks with thigh injuryFox News
Kings' Guard To Miss 1-2 WeeksKCRA Sacramento

all 64 news articles »
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Bill would require ultrasound before abortion
A Senate committee approved two bills on Thursday that would place more restrictions on women seeking abortions. Republican Sen...


Motion estimation in ultrasound imaging applied to the diagnostic of pelvic . - UroToday

Motion estimation in ultrasound imaging applied to the diagnostic of pelvic .
UroToday
The main purpose of this paper is to show the potential of tissue motion estimation in ultrasound imaging for the diagnostic of pelvic floor disorders. We propose to evaluate the tissue motion using a method based on a local deformable model and on .

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Center for Reproductive Rights Asks For Ultrasound Rehearing - RH Reality Check (blog)

RH Reality Check (blog)

Center for Reproductive Rights Asks For Ultrasound Rehearing
RH Reality Check (blog)
by Robin Marty, RH Reality Check The Center for Reproductive Rights is taking another go at trying to fight the new Texas law requiring all women to undergo an ultrasound prior to obtaining an abortion, and have their doctor explain in detail what the .

and more »
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U.S. Court allows Texas law on ultrasound before abortion
(Reuters) - A Texas law requiring abortion providers to show or describe an ultrasound image to a woman of her pregnancy and to play sounds of the fetal heart does not violate the U.S. Constitution, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday. The court ruled that the ultrasound requirements do not infringe on abortion providers' free speech rights, overturning a lower federal court's decision. ...


Grad gives $1 million to Monmouth College - Galesburg Register-Mail

Grad gives $1 million to Monmouth College
Galesburg Register-Mail
He has led SonoSite since its spin-off from ATL Ultrasound in 1998. The world leader in hand-carried and mountable ultrasound, SonoSite also specializes in impedance cardiography equipment. The Goodwin Endowment gift will establish the Rod Lemon .

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The Soapbox: On The 39th Anniversary Of EURRoe Vs. WadeEUR - The Frisky

LifeNews.com

The Soapbox: On The 39th Anniversary Of EURRoe Vs. WadeEUR
The Frisky
It was regarding the Texas law requiring a woman view an ultrasound prior to getting an abortion. The man starting the thread praised the Texas Supreme Court for upholding the ultrasound law. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 88 percent of .
Pennsylvania Pro-Life Abortion-Ultrasound Bill Makes HeadwayLifeNews.com
Let's not give up on ending taxpayer-funded abortionsThe Hill (blog)
Roe v. Wade at 39: For NARAL, 'a challenge and an opportunity'Washington Post (blog)
National Review Online (blog)
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Senate panel backs bill to require ultrasound before abortion
The Senate Committee on Education and Health today voted to require a woman to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion...


Ultrasound World VIII to be Held in Florida - Reliable Plant Magazine

Ultrasound World VIII to be Held in Florida
Reliable Plant Magazine
Ultrasound World, a forum for ultrasound technology, has been scheduled for May 14-17, 2012, at the Clearwater Hilton in Clearwater Beach, Fla. Entering its eighth year, Ultrasound World has grown into one of the top conferences for reliability and .

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