Ultrasound Machines and their Medical Applications

Modern ultrasound machines are used in a variety of diagnostic capacities to help physicians identify disorders in a safe, radiation-free way. Because they are so easy to administer, ultrasound testing can detect problems earlier and allow treatment to start quickly. As a result, ultrasound machines are one of the most widely used pieces of medical equipment used in health care settings these days. Compared to early ultrasound equipment, today’s machines are far safer and more effective.

How is ultrasound equipment used today?

Since the introduction of ultrasound machines nearly fifty years ago, many breakthroughs have been made. Today’s machines use cyclic sound pressure that has a higher frequency than what human beings can hear, with a lower limit average of 20 KHz. As the sound energy penetrates its intended target, the machine measures the reflected projection and creates an image that renders the variances in projection.

Intrauterine photos are often taken of a gestating fetus using ultrasound technology, but medical sonograms, or “ultrasonography” is also a common technique used for diagnostic testing. By creating a 3-D image of internal organs, tissues and other structures, ultrasound machines can determine the size, depth and shape of tumors or lesions.

For biomedical purposes, therapeutic ultrasound can also be used in occupational or physical therapy, as well as cancer treatment. This type of ultrasound machine actually uses its power to do more than create an image; it can also create localized heating of bodily tissue. High intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU is used by internists and oncologists to treat benign and malignant tumors. Ultrasound is also used in clinical settings to detect abnormalities of the abdominal, rectum and pelvic areas. Even cosmetic surgeons use ultrasound machines to assist in liposuction, sclerotherapy, elastography and plastic surgery.

Beyond its many traditional uses in human health care, veterinary clinics are also using ultrasound to treat and detect anomalies in pets and other mammals. But keep in mind that while ultrasound is non-invasive and safe, it is still a medical procedure and should be administered with care by a trained radiology clinician. Experienced professionals know how to regulate the machines to prevent overexposure to high frequency waves.