Ultrasound began with an interest in one of the basic senses of the human body. It was many years ago, in ancient times, that scientists started exploring the aspect of sound which eventually led to the invention of the sonometer, by the well-known mathematician named Pythagoras. (Essentials of Sonography) In 1793, however, a new discovery brought about a whole new perspective to sound waves. Dr. Lazarro Spallanzi fell upon an idea that the common bat was able to get around without vision. His experiments proved that the bat was able to regard his surroundings by his unique listening abilities unknown by man. This was only the beginning to a mature science that continues with strong progression to this day. (Brief History of Ultrasound)
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Today we have not only 3D and 4D ultrasounds but we also have hand-carried units that are functional due to one SINGLE chip that contains millions of transducers, and it weighs not even ten pounds. These small units originated for the purpose of the aiding the wounded on the battlefield, but have become a convenient tool for even space stations to utilize. There are especially smaller HCUs about the size of the everyday smartphone, and new technology has made it possible to use the actual smart phone alone with a connectable transducer, to be used as an ultrasonic device (Essentials of Sonography). However, HCUs are not exactly as precise as the bigger devices. Obstacles such as the inability to capture images for patient records and poor imaging of veins, the carotid artery, and other close-to-the-surface body structures, are still being studied (Prospective Advancements in Ultrasound Imaging).
There is still much to learn about Diagnostic Ultrasound, but in many ways its evolution has become a very important aspect of the medical field throughout the world. Its low cost makes it an easy candidate for MANY therapeutic and diagnostic treatments, and an especially useful tool for eliminating much of the guessing in pregnancy. There is still A LOT to learn in this field and procedures in need of perfecting, but the constant progress shows a promising future for this technology (Prospective
Diagnostic medical sonography is a profession where sonographers direct high-frequency sound waves into a patient’s body through the use of specific equipment to diagnose or monitor a patient’s medical condition. As described by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this examination is referred to as an ultrasound, sonogram, or echocardiogram. The high-frequency sound waves emitted from the handheld device, called a transducer, bounce back creating an echo and therefore produce an image that can be viewed on the sonographers computer screen. This image provides the sonographer and physician with an internal image of the patient’s body that will be used in the diagnosis. The most familiar use of ultrasound is used in monitoring pregnancies and is provided by obstetric and gynecologic sonographers, who also provide imaging of the female reproductive system. Other types of sonography include; abdominal sonography, breast sonography, musculoskeletal sonography, neurosonography and cardiovascular sonography. Due to the vast nature of uses in sonography, most professionals study one field that they choose to specialize in. Diagnostic medical sonography is a rapidly growing field because of the increase in medical advances. The area of Cleveland, Ohio has continued to rise in the medical field with great strides, providing better career prospects with the availability of numerous employment positions.
As an ultrasound technician/sonographer I will have the ability to see dangerous defects within the human anatomy and begin a lifelong profession with many benefits. The Ultrasound was first invented in the early 1900’s and was surprisingly not used to produce photos of a fetus. In 1917 Paul Langen a marine life scientist used a form of ultrasound equipment in his attempt to detect submarines. After many failed attempts at using high frequency sound waves Dr. Ian Donald and his team in Glasgow, Scotland invented the first ultrasound machine in 1957. Dr. Donald even tested his machine on patients within a year of completing the invention, by the late 1950’s ultrasounds became routine in Glasgow hospitals.
Anything from helping a patient discover an issue in their body to allow them to get proper treatment to seeing the smiling faces of a future parent as they see their unborn child can be extremely rewarding for an ultrasound technician. Many people want to choose the path of an ultrasound technician as their career path in life, but getting started can seem complicated. With some good planning and helpful tips, you can be well on your way to a great career as an ultrasound technician.
Ultrasound Technicians are very valuable in the world of health care. Also known as Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, an Ultrasound Technician uses special machines and equipment that operates on sound waves to determine or diagnose medical problems for patients. There are specializations within this field in which some individuals explore. For instance, areas of specialization includes but not limited to; pregnancy, heart health, gynecology, and abdominal sonography. Although each specializing branch has its own distinctive function, they all involve probing the body to facilitate doctors with diagnoses.
Choosing this field is something that has a profound connection with my personal life. Becoming a Diagnostic Medical sonographer would mean that I have accomplished life long dream. Ever since I was a little, I always wanted to be in the medical field. I have always had a big heart and wanted to help people so when I saw the important role that sonographers play in the medical field, it became clear to me that being a sonographer was exactly what I want to do with my life. In 2007 someone who was very important to me passed away due to gastric cancer. When my grandmother, who was a mother, father, and a friend to me, was diagnosed with gastric cancer my world collapsed. It was devastating news, not only for me but also for the whole family.
There are several techniques of prenatal screening. The most common is blood testing. It is used to determine the blood type and Rh factor of a mother and the fetus. This is to prevent the complication caused by antigen-antibody reaction of Rh group of the mother and the fetus which may lead to haemolytic anemia. Besides that, blood test is also able to detect some of the blood borne diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B, C and D and rubella. Ultrasound, on the other hand, can determine the growth and development of a fetus in the amniotic sac. It can detect structural defects such as spinal bifida and anencephaly, congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal and kidney malformations and cleft lip. Furthermore, genetic test is used to determine the chromosome condit...
On ultrasound there is a live fetus in transverse presentation. Fetal biometry is symmetric and consistent with dates. A detailed anatomic survey was unremarkable, although the spine and 4-chamber heart were
There is also a high-resolution ultrasound scanning that can detect chromosomal and physical abnormalities in the first trimester as opposed to the second trimester. A technology such as this can create many ethical problems. Mcfadyen describes the biggest problem as being informed consent. “They may believe that it will provide information only about gestational age and be unaware of the range of abnormalities that can be detected. Recent research suggests that many women are not told beforehand of the first scan’s potential to detect fetal anomalies.”
Without the use of physics in the medical field today, diagnosis of problems would be challenging, to say the least. The world of medical imaging in particular has benefited greatly from the use of physics.
Rebecca is a 31yo G2 P1001 who was seen for an ultrasound evaluation and FTS. She overall denies any major medical disorders other than she is hypothyroid and on replacement therapy. She also has a history of a LEEP procedure but that occurred in 2012. She did have a full-term delivery over 2 years later that went to 39 ½ weeks with an 8 lb 12 oz infant. Overall on today’s assessment, she has no complaints.
Ultrasounds are the standard procedure for visualizing a fetus to establish certain conditions and to identify abnormalities. Traditionally, two-dimensional (2D) ultrasounds have been used, but in recent years three-dimensional (3D) and real time three-dimensional (4D) have been introduced. With these new options it is important to know the risks and benefits of 2D ultrasounds versus 3D/4D ultrasounds.
Also, ultrasound is used to diagnose problems in the heart and measuring blood flow through the heart and blood vessels. Which is harmless to the patient as well as being
The two aspects of physics which I investigated were: * Gamma Camera * Ultrasound Applications of physics. * Gamma camera The first application of physics that I witnessed was the Gamma camera in the nuclear medicine department. This basically involves the patient being injected with a gamma emitting-isotope, this radioactive substance then sends back images of the internals of the patient. The half-life of the isotope is to suit the time of the diagnostic tests and the convenience of the patient so there isn't a lot of radiation they are exposed to. Below is an example of a gamma camera.
Images of human anatomy have been around for more than 500 years now. From the sketches created by Leonardo da Vinci, to the modern day Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, images have played a great role in medicine. Evolution in medical imaging brought together people from various disciplines such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, a collaboration which has further contributed to healthcare as a whole. Modern day imaging improves medical workflows by facilitating a non-invasive insight into human body, accurate and timely diagnostics, and persistence of an analysis.