Reviews and News on Ultrasound Machines

As ultrasound becomes more widely used in virtually every field of medicine, it is becoming a widely accepted technology that is capable of many tasks. Not only have ultrasound machine allowed researchers to develop new ways of gathering valuable diagnostic information, it has done so without exposing patients to harmful radiation. Finely tuned and targeted ultrasound beams have even been used in non-invasive surgeries and as a way of administering cancer drugs, but few people are aware of how it impacts the body.

In addition to measuring the depth and density of tissue by looking at a graphical image of sound waves, ultrasound scanners also create a mechanical energy that puts pressure on tissues. As the wave of pressure travels through tissue, it sends information back to the transducer which helps form an image.

Physically, the effects of ultrasound are categorized in the following ways.
· Thermal energy heats the tissue as ultrasound is absorbed

· The surface of the transducer produces heat at the skin’s surface

· Gas bubbles, also known as cavitations, are formed when there is a high level of negative pressure

· Mechanical effects of ultrasound may include streaming within fluids or stress where tissues come together

Ultrasound operators will be familiar with two indices, the thermal index (TI) and the mechanical index (MI). Each of these indexes measures the bio-effects of ultrasound machines and provides a clear measurement for the practitioner to read during testing. The most sensitive kind of ultrasound is one that examines a developing fetus or embryo.

FDA regulations specify the maximum intensity of spatial peak time by employing specific formulas, which help determine the thermal index. The danger of a higher thermal index (TI) is also determined by the type of tissue being examined and whether it is close to a bone. Simultaneously, the mechanical index (MI) is tracking the amplitude of the pressure pulse emitted by the transducer to determine the relative risk of pressure, including cavitation and streaming.

Technicians who are thoroughly trained on the device are able to conduct a diagnostic ultrasound test in a way that gathers the required information without compromising the safety of the patient.

Ultrasound Machine Tags: Portable Ultrasound, portable ultrasound machines, Ultrasound Machines, Used Medical Equipment

Known as one of the safest types of diagnostic tests, ultrasound is a non-invasive method of viewing specific areas of the body. While not known to produce any harm to humans when used properly, diagnostic ultrasound should only be used by fully trained medical practitioners.

A recent trend toward “boutique” 3-D ultrasound pictures has caused some concern within the medical community because they are used on pregnant women by non-medical staffers. Whenever any type of diagnostic equipment is used outside of a medical environment, it is never considered a safe practice, but when the service is promoted to pregnant women, it is even more disturbing. Ultrasound machines may be relatively safe, but they can still have a mechanical or thermal effect on tissue, especially when a machine uses increased output.

In ultrasound scanning, “output” is the amount of energy used to obtain the desired image. With the recent introduction of 3-D Doppler imaging technologies, these machines have not been in use long enough to gage the effects of repeated use. Pulsed images that utilize “spectral Doppler” and color-flow imaging make more use of B-mode imaging. This has led some physicians to believe that ultrasound machines should not be used on pregnant women more often than medically necessary.

Regulations on these machines have not changed the ways in which they can be used in a medical setting, but they have placed the onus of responsibility on the operator of the machine, rather than the manufacturer, to ensure that a diagnostic test is done safely. This means the operator must be familiar with the scanner’s settings and understand the potential mechanical or thermal effects on human beings.

Most trained portable ultrasound technicians are taught to use the lowest output power and shortest scanning time necessary to gather the required data. There may be some situations where it is rational to use higher output, but this type of sensitivity will only come when a practitioner has been thoroughly trained on the equipment.

Ultrasound Machine Tags: Portable Ultrasound, portable ultrasound machines, Ultrasound Machines, Used Medical Equipment

In the past, when a doctor ordered an ultrasound machine test, that patient was required to show up an outpatient testing area in a hospital. This may have required preauthorization, special transportation, and even a day off from work; just to get a simple, non-invasive ultrasound scan. Thankfully, the latest ultrasound technology has taken some giant leaps forward since then. Today’s physicians can see inside a patient’s joints, limbs and organs very easily with a handheld pocket ultrasound scanner.

No larger than the average smart phone, these pocket-sized ultrasound machines can get a snapshot of a patient’s heart in just seconds, and this tool is quickly becoming a staple in doctors’ offices across the country. In fact, many offices may start using this type of device in place of a stethoscope.

While not designed to take on the more detail-oriented diagnostic tests that measure the blood flow and electrical impulses of the heart, regular use of ultrasound on the heart allows doctors and patients to stay ahead of potential problems. Instead of sending patients out for a battery of tests to diagnose potential heart problems, these tiny ultrasound scanners can take some of the guess work out.

Even the healthcare professionals who are currently using these scanners are quick to point out that they are not designed to replace other types of testing. For example, an EKG or EKG Stress Test would still be ordered for most patients, regardless of how their heart looked on the ultrasound machine. But by seeing how well the heart pumps, pocket ultrasounds will allow doctors to spot potential problems a lot faster.

On average, an EKG unit would cost about $5,900, while one of these new handhelds would cost $7,900, but medical equipment suppliers expect the price to come down within a few years.

Ultrasound Machine Tags: Portable Ultrasound, portable ultrasound machines, Ultrasound Machines, Used Medical Equipment