An ultrasound machine creates images that allow various organs in the body to be examined. It is becoming common place in many doctor's offices. But, is it more than just a computer on wheels? What are parts of an ultrasound machine?
An ultrasound machine uses high frequency sound waves and their
echoes to help determine the size, shape and depth of an abnormality.
It allow various organs in the body to be examined right in the
doctor's office or clinic. In a typical ultrasound, millions of pulses
and echoes are sent and received from the probe each second.
A basic ultrasound machine has the following parts:
Transducer probe
- The probe is the mouth and ears of the ultrasound machine. In the
probe, there are one or more quartz crystals called piezoelectric
crystals. When an electric current is applied to these crystals, they
change shape rapidly. The rapid shape changes, or vibrations, of the
crystals produce sound waves that travel outward. The sound waves
travel into the patient being scanned. The sound waves bounce back at
various intervals depending on the type of material they pass through.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- The CPU is the brain of an ultrasound machine. The CPU is a computer
that contains the microprocessor, memory, amplifiers and power supplies
for the microprocessor and transducer probe. The transducer receives
electrical currents from the CPU and sends electrical pulses that are
created by returning echoes.
Transducer pulse controls
- The operator, called the ultrasonographer, changes the amplitude,
frequency and duration of the pulses emitted from the transducer probe
Display
- Displays the image from the ultrasound data processed by the CPU.
This image can be either in black-and-white or color, depending upon
the model of the ultrasound machine
Keyboard/cursor
- Ultrasound machines have a keyboard and a cursor. The keyboard allows
the operator to add notes and to take measurements of the image.
Disk storage device
- The processed data and/or images can be stored on disks (hard disks,
floppy disks, CD, or DVD). They can also be stored digitally so they
can be accessed from the office or anywhere you have an Internet
connection.
Printer - Most ultrasound machines have thermal printers. These can be used to capture a printed picture of the image from the monitor.
Depending
on the make and model of the ultrasound, there may be additional parts
or options. Some suppliers offer options, like an endovaginal and
endorectal transducers, that offer higher resolution than that of a
traditional abdominal transducer. More features have been added to
smaller, portable ultrasound machines, making them a versatile,
powerful, lower-cost alternative for many doctors and clinics.
Do you have questions about a part of your ultrasound machine? Wave Imaging Solutions is a great place to turn to for questions and answers. We are an OEM certified remanufacturer of used ultrasound equipment
with cross-trained service professionals that are certified in
multi-vendor capacities. By adding the value of EOM Certification to
our used ultrasound machines, our clients benefits from a very
dependable ultrasound machine at a fraction of the price of a new one.
