Ultrasonic Waves and Body Effects

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Questions and Answers

What is the range of ultrasonic intensity used for diagnostic work without harmful effects?

~ 0.01 W/cm²

How does continuous ultrasound at ~1 W/cm² affect body tissues?

It causes a deep heating effect via diathermy, raising tissue temperature.

What physiological effect occurs when continuous ultrasound is applied at powers between 1-10 W/cm²?

It creates pressure differences in adjacent tissue regions, resulting in micromassage.

What happens to tissue when continuous ultrasound is applied at approximately 35 W/cm²?

<p>It can cause a tissue-destroying effect by rupturing DNA molecules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using focused ultrasound at intensities around 10³ W/cm²?

<p>To selectively destroy deep tissue using a focused ultrasound beam.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Ultrasound effect on the body

Ultrasonic waves have varying effects on the body depending on their intensity.

Low intensity ultrasound

Low intensity ultrasound with an intensity of about 0.01 W/cm² has no harmful effects and is used for medical imaging, similar to sonar.

Diathermy

Medium intensity ultrasound with an intensity of around 1 W/cm² produces deep heating, a process known as diathermy, where tissues absorb acoustic energy and heat up.

Micromassage

High intensity ultrasound (1-10 W/cm²) creates regions of compression and rarefaction within tissues, causing pressure differences that act as a micro-massage.

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Ultrasound tissue destruction

Very high intensity ultrasound (35 W/cm²) can destroy tissue by disrupting DNA molecules.

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Study Notes

Ultrasonic Wave Effects on the Body

Ultrasonic waves produce physiological and chemical changes within the body.
The intensity of these effects depends on frequency and amplitude.
Low-intensity ultrasound (~0.01 W/cm²) is safe and used in diagnostics (as in sonar).
Continuous ultrasound (~1 W/cm²) causes deep heating (diathermy), increasing tissue temperature through acoustic energy absorption.
Continuous ultrasound (1-10 W/cm²) creates pressure differences (micromassage) in tissues from compression and rarefaction.
Continuous ultrasound (~35 W/cm²) can damage tissue by rupturing DNA molecules.
High-intensity, focused ultrasound (~10³ W/cm²) can precisely target and destroy deep tissue.