24 Questions
What is the main function of the transducer probe in an ultrasound machine?
To send and receive sound waves
What is the principle behind the generation of sound waves in the transducer probe?
Piezoelectric effect
What is the purpose of the sound absorbing substance in the transducer probe?
To eliminate back reflections from the probe
What is the footprint of the transducer probe also known as?
Aperture
How do the piezoelectric crystals in the transducer probe respond to electrical currents?
They change shape rapidly
What is the function of the acoustic lens in the transducer probe?
To focus the emitted sound waves
What is the shape of the footprint of the transducer probe?
Variable
What happens when sound waves hit the piezoelectric crystals in the transducer probe?
They emit electrical currents
What type of probe is used for abdominal scans due to its wider and deeper view?
Convex probe
Which type of probe is used for vascular, breast, thyroid, and tendon examinations?
Linear probe
What is the typical frequency range of convex probes?
2.5 to 5 MHz
What type of probe is used to scan images of the heart?
Phased array probe
What is the shape of the piezoelectric crystals in a linear probe?
Linear
What is the typical beam shape of a linear probe?
Rectangular beam
Which type of probe is used for examinations that require a more detailed view, such as the uterus or prostate gland?
Endocavitary probe
What determines the field of view of a transducer probe?
Shape of the probe
What is the frequency range of endocavitary probes?
3.5 MHz - 11.5 MHz
What is the shape of the lens and array in endocavitary probes?
U-shaped
What is the main advantage of endocavitary probes?
Wider field of view
What is the main purpose of Phased Array transducers?
To create an image on the screen
What is the characteristic of Phased Array transducers that allows for greater depth penetration?
Fewer crystals
What is the purpose of the transducer pulse controls?
To change the amplitude, frequency, and duration of the pulses
What type of probes are used for scanning the inside of the body?
Endocavitary probes
What is the function of the CPU in an ultrasound machine?
To process the data and form the image
Study Notes
Ultrasound Imaging
- Uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body
- Helps diagnose causes of pain, swelling, and infection in internal organs
- Helps examine the fetus in pregnancy
- Guides biopsies and diagnoses heart conditions
- Safe, noninvasive, and does not use radiation
Transducer Probe
- Sends and receives sound waves
- Main part of the ultrasound machine
- Generates and receives sound waves using the piezoelectric effect
- Piezoelectric crystals change shape rapidly to produce sound waves
- Sound waves travel outward and hit the crystals, emitting electrical currents
- Sound absorbing substance eliminates back reflections from the probe
- Acoustic lens helps focus emitted sound waves
- Footprint (aperture) is the part in contact with the body, comes in different shapes and sizes
Types of Probes
- Linear probes
- Flat array and appearance
- Piezoelectric crystals in a linear formation
- Rectangular beam, high near-field resolution, and high frequency (5-10 MHz)
- Suitable for vascular, breast, thyroid, tendon, and small parts examinations
- Curvilinear (Convex) probes
- Curved array and appearance
- Piezoelectric crystals in a curvilinear fashion
- Convex beam, low frequency (2.5-5 MHz), and wider field of view
- Suitable for abdominal, OB/GYN, nerve, and musculoskeletal examinations
- Phased Array (Cardiac) probes
- Smaller handle with a square-shaped lens and array
- Low frequency (2-8 MHz), narrow beam, and greater depth
- Suitable for cardiac examinations
- Endocavitary probes
- Longer probe handle with a “U” shaped lens and array
- Small footprint, varying frequency (3.5-11.5 MHz)
- Suitable for scanning inside the body (e.g., endovaginal, endorectal)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Brain of the ultrasound machine
- Does all calculations and contains electrical power supplies
- Contains microprocessor, memory, amplifiers, and power supplies
- Sends electrical currents to the transducer probe to emit sound waves
- Receives electrical pulses from the probe and processes data
- Forms the image on the monitor and stores data/image on disk
Transducer Pulse Controls
- Changes the amplitude, frequency, and duration of the pulses emitted from the probe
- Allows operator to set and change the frequency and duration of ultrasound pulses
- Allows operator to change the scan mode of the machine
Learn about the characteristics and functionality of ultrasound transducer probes, including frequency, penetration, and image resolution.
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