What’s Inside an Ultrasound Machine?

Ultrasound Machine – Ultrasound is the medical diagnostic imaging tool to scan the internal body using sound waves. The ultrasound machine transducer and ultrasound scanner are the most important parts of the machine. The transduced electrical signals generate two-dimensional pictures of internal organs and can be observed on the screen. Preferably, this technique is utilized in gynaecology, obstetrics and cancer detection. 

Machine parts involved in a scan:

1. 1. Transducer Probe
2. 2. Transducer -Pulse Controller
3. 3. CPU- Central Processing Unit
4. 4. Display
5. 5. Printer
6. 6. Keyboard with Control Knobs
7.  

Ultrasound machine parts: 

1. 1. Ultrasound Transducer is the essential component in ultrasonography. This probe sends the sound waves to the targeted organ and receives the reflected signals. 

Components of transducer:

a) transducer head (with a footprint region)

b) Cable

c) Connector

Principal of working of a transducer

The basic principle of working behind the transducer is based on the piezoelectric effect. The quartz crystals in the probe vibrate at a frequency that produces sound waves. These sound waves target the body part and bounce off the tissue boundaries. The built-in processor amplifies the signals which are sent to the processing unit. 

The transducer comes in a variety of shapes manufactured especially for different body regions:

1. 1. Sector transducer (small footprint for narrow regions)
2. 2. Curvilinear transducers (scan abdomen)

iii. transvaginal transducer (to scan vagina)

2. 2. Central Processing Unit: The CPU of ultrasound works in the similar way as the normal CPU of computer. In other words, it heads things accordingly. It interprets the electrical signals received from probes and processes them into 2-D images.  

3. 3. Transducer Pulse Controls: As the name suggests, transducer pulse control is involved in controlling the pulse received from the transducer by altering the frequency, amplitude, and time-lapse of the pulse. 

4. 4. Display: is like a typical screen showing the interpreted data received from the CPU. Simply put, it shows the image of the scanned portion of the body.

5. 5. Keyboard with Control Knobs: These knobs are meant to move the scanner in the required direction.
6. 6. Output Control- alters the voltage of the transducer crystal during pulse emission.
7. 7. Depth- alter the coverage area on the monitor

iii. Gain- alters the brightness of the image; it works by moving it clockwise. 

8. 8. Trackball: It’s the mouse that moves and scrolls in freeze mode.
9. 9. Focal Zones: maintain the lateral resolution
10.  

Working Principle behind ultrasonography

The Ultrasound machine employs sound waves. The sound waves are directed at the patient’s target organ through the transducer. These signals return to the transducer after reflecting from tissue boundaries. These signals are captured and converted into electrical signals, which an ultrasound scanner interprets to convert into 2D images of target tissues.

The ultrasound diagnostic tool is safe as it does not involve radiation, so doctors recommend this technique to pregnant ladies. 

What is the major purpose of ultrasound:

Doctors recommend ultrasound for the most crucial parts of the body and the most sensitive ones. Various clinical settings in which ultrasound is preferred are:

Gynaecology

1. 1. To measure foetus size for date determination
2. 2. Placenta position (down position or upright)
3. 3. Status of placenta development
4. 4. To check the number of the foetus in a uterus
5. 5. To analyze the sex of the baby
6. 6. To check the growth rate of the foetus
7. 7. To detect ectopic pregnancy
8. 8. Status of amniotic fluid
9. 9. Breast tumours 
10. 10. Ovary tumour
11.  

Urology

• 1. To detect prostate cancer
• 2. To calculate excretions from kidney
• 3. To check kidney stones
•  

Cardiology

• 1. 1. To analyse the problems or defects in the hearts. 
• 2. 2. To check the proper functioning of the heart. 
• 3. 3. If a patient is complaining about swelling, pain, or other unexplained discomforts.
•  

The doctor might recommend an ultrasound to review internal parts. 

• 1. Brain (in infants)
• 2. Bladder
• 3. Eyes
• 4. Kidneys
• 5. Gallbladder
• 6. Liver
• 7. Pancreas
• 8. Ovaries
• 9. Blood vessels
• 10. Spleen
• 11. Testicles
• 12. Thyroid
• 13. Uterus
•  

An ultrasound is also helpful to guide surgeons’ movements during certain medical procedures, such as biopsies.

Gear up for your ultrasound

1. 1. Area to be scanned: You must know which part of the body is going to be scanned 
2. 2. Eat plan: After taking an appointment, you must confirm with your doctor regarding fasting 8hrs before the scan. Because the food can block the passage and sound waves in case of an abdomen scan.
3. 3. Don’t opt for fatty food: When going for a liver, gallbladder, or spleen scan, you must not eat fatty foods before the scan. 
4. 4. Take a chill pill: Inform about your medication to the doctor before you go for an ultrasound
5.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the reason behind developing an ultrasound machine?

The ultrasound machine is designed to study the parts of the body. The Ultrasound machine uses sound waves to get the signals from inside tissues. The sound waves are directed at the patient’s target organ through the transducer. These signals return to the transducer after reflecting from tissue boundaries. These signals are processed into electrical signals, which an ultrasound scanner interprets to convert into 2D images of target tissues.

Q2. What are the 3 uses of ultrasound?

An ultrasound is used in various departments-

1. 1. Gynecology- To check the status of the fetus
2. 2. Obstetrics- To detect the problems 
3. 3. Cardiology- To analyze the functioning
4.  

Q3. What are the 3 types of ultrasound?

Three major types of ultrasounds are:

1. 1. Endoscopic ultrasound
2. 2. Transvaginal ultrasound
3. 3. External ultrasound
4.  

Q4. What are the different parts included in the ultrasound system?

Ultrasound machine parts: 

1. 1. Transducer Probe
2. 2. Transducer -Pulse Controller
3. 3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
4. 4. Display
5. 5. Printer
6. 6. Keyboard with Control Knobs
7.  

Q5. In which clinical settings does an ultrasound is preferred? 

Doctors recommend ultrasound for the most crucial parts of the body and the most sensitive ones. Various clinical settings in which ultrasound is preferred are:

1. 1. Gynecology
2. 2. Obstetrics 
3. 3. Cardiology 
4. 4. Oncology
5.  

Q6. What’s inside an ultrasound machine?

The ultrasound machine transducer and ultrasound scanner are the most important parts of the machine. The transduced electrical signals generate two-dimensional pictures of internal organs and can be observed on the screen. 

The Ultrasound machine employs sound waves. The sound waves are directed at the patient’s target organ through the transducer. These signals return to the transducer after reflecting from tissue boundaries. These signals are captured and converted into electrical signals, which an ultrasound scanner interprets to convert into 2D images of target tissues.

1. 1. Transducer Probe
2. 2. Transducer -Pulse Controller
3. 3. CPU- Central Processing Unit
4. 4. Keyboard with Control Knobs
5.  

Related Post