What are the different types of ultrasound machines?
Ultrasound technology has been around for more than 50 years. There are different names for it, such as sonography, ultrasonography, or Doppler study. The ultrasound machine is used for the diagnosis and screening of various medical disorders and to assist in some medical procedures. An ultrasound machine can also be used as a therapeutic tool to treat musculoskeletal issues like gallstones and kidney stones.
The ultrasound technique is non-invasive. It uses high-frequency sound-waves that produce images of the various parts of the body being examined. Many ultrasound machines you find today use different types of imaging depending on the body part being examined. Manufacturers like Mindray are taking advantage of today’s technology to make ultrasound machines that produce high-quality images using the latest engineering methods. One high-end machine in the Mindray ultrasound family includes the Resona 7 Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging System.
There are many ultrasound procedures, and all of them use one of the four main kinds of imaging. As mentioned earlier, the type of imaging used depends on the goals of the procedure. The four main types of ultrasound imaging are;
- 2D Ultrasound
2D ultrasound imaging is the most common type of ultrasound used to this day. A 2D ultrasound picture is a series of 2D cross-section images of the scanned body part. Most diagnostic and obstetrics situations use 2D ultrasound imaging machines as a standard procedure.
2. 3D Ultrasound
3D ultrasound imaging works by combining several 2D images taken from various angles to form a 3D image. A 3D ultrasound image can be compared to a typical photograph. This type of imaging is mainly used to get a more realistic picture of a fetus.
3. 4D ultrasound imaging
Similar to 3D imaging 4D ultrasound images also give a more realistic image of the scanned tissue and also show movement. The ability to show movement is very rewarding to mothers who can see their child in the uterus kicking or opening and closing their eyes. While the experience is heartwarming, medical experts advise expectant mothers to avoid going through the procedure for this purpose alone. 4D ultrasound imaging is useful as it can show any abnormality that cannot be seen using the standard 2D ultrasound.
4. Doppler ultrasound
2D and 3D ultrasound imaging are mainly used to show internal tissue and structure. Doppler ultrasound imaging is used to evaluate blood flow. The blood evaluation is done by bouncing high-frequency sound waves off blood cells in motion. The waves bounce back to the transducer probe producing an image showing the velocity and direction of blood flow. There are three types of Doppler ultrasound imaging used today. These are; color Doppler, power Doppler, and spectral Doppler.
Ultrasound machines have some safety concerns. However, these safety concerns have not been clearly outlined by medical and health experts. This hasn’t changed the fact that ultrasound machines are an essential tool in the medical industry. Technology is rapidly changing, and soon there will be lighter, faster, and have more storage. Designs will also change as manufacturers are developing hand-held ultrasounds, among other modern designs.