How Ultrasound Machines are Used for Obstetric and Non-Obstetric Purposes
Ultrasound technology is used for many applications within medicine and industry, but its most common use is in the field of obstetrics. Doctors use ultrasound machines during pregnancy to view the uterus and fetus, a test that is usually performed between 16 and 18 weeks into the pregnancy.
Some of the ways that ultrasound is used in obstetrics include:
* Determining the date of conception and the expected due date, as well as fetal size
* Revealing multiple pregnancies
* Identifying fetal abnormalities
* Diagnosing congenital heart disease
* Amniocentesis
* Determining the position of the placenta
* Diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy or impending miscarriage, or the cause of early fetal death
In addition to pregnancy-related issues, ultrasound can also be used to view the fallopian tubes, ovaries and other female reproductive organs to look for cysts and determine the cause of infertility.
Non obstetric uses for ultrasound machines include treatment and diagnosis of many disorders, including:
* Examination of internal organs, such as the appendix to diagnose appendicitis
* Scanning the brain of a newborn baby
* Evaluating the eyes
* Locating gallstones in bile ducts or the gallbladder
* Scanning the liver to diagnose cirrhosis, cysts, abscesses or tumors
* Scanning of the kidneys to diagnose congenital defects, hydronephrosis or other obstructions
* Close examination of tendon tears
The uses of ultrasound machines have grown exponentially since the early days of ultrasound technology, and the technology continues to advance. New ultrasound applications are discovered on a very regular basis, and it is now being used in many surgical procedures.






