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About Ultrasound Technology

Ultrasound technology creates precise images through high-frequency sound waves. This type of examination is usually done with a sonar device placed outside of the body; however, in some cases the sonar instrument is placed inside of the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, the images produced during an ultrasound examination become critical in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases and conditions.

  1. Common Uses

    • Reasons for needing ultrasound images include the evaluation of a fetus, to diagnose gall bladder disease, to assess the blood flow in the blood vessels, and to evaluate abnormalities in your muscles and tendons. Other critical uses of this technology will aid in diagnoses of certain cancers, as well as thyroid, prostate and scrotum abnormalities.

    What to Expect

    • During an ultrasound examination, the sonographer will ask you to lie on a table and apply a gel to the target area. The gel reduces the air pockets between your body and the ultrasound equipment (transducer). The transducer is a small hand-held device that is placed on the body and sends high-frequency sound waves into the targeted area. The sound waves react to the tissue, bones and body fluids, then bounce the sound waves back to the transducer. These waves, undetectable to the human ear, produce images based on the patterns the sound waves create.

    Invasive Ultrasounds

    • Some invasive procedures use ultrasound technology inside the body. Examples include the transesophageal echocardiogram, in which the transducer is placed into your esophagus to obtain images of the heart. Patients are usually sedated for this procedure. The transrectal ultrasound uses a small transducer inserted into the rectum to view a man's prostate. And a transvaginal ultrasound uses a specialized transducer, inserted into a woman's vagina, to view the uterus and ovaries.

    Warning

    • Diagnostic ultrasounds use low power sound waves which will not create a direct risk to the patient, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sound waves do not travel well through gas and bone, however; other imaging technologies such as MRIs or x-rays will be more effective on some parts of the body.

    Tips

    • Ask your doctor for specific directions before your exam. Some procedures require you to forgo all food and liquid for up to six hours before the procedure, while other examinations, such as a fetus or prostate check, require a full bladder for better imaging results.

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