Technology has advanced ultrasound free essay sample

Abstract The 1960s introduced the use Ultrasound to the medical field. Since the introduction of Ultrasound there has been many technological advancements that have greatly improved ultrasound imaging and quality of diagnosis results. These advancements include 3D/4d imaging, Pure Wave transducer, Color Doppler, and Point-of-view. Advancements do to technology has lead Ultrasound to be the second most used diagnostic tool in many medical fields including cardiovascular, obstetrics, pediatrics, gynecology, neurology, and emergency care. Introduction Ultrasound is currently the second most used diagnostic imaging modality in medicine, due to the technology advances and improvement. Since introduced to medical care in the 1960’s ultrasound has dramatically improved. Technology advancements have led to the development of 3D/4D imaging, pure wave transducers, color Doppler, and point-of-care ultrasound. With these advancements has improved the overall health care. 3D/4D Imaging Imaging technology has advanced from the original 2D imaging in the 1960’s, to incredibly advanced 3D/4D imaging. We will write a custom essay sample on Technology has advanced ultrasound or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 2D imaging provided only outlines and flat looking images, leaving much unseen by doctors. As technology advanced in the late 1980’s, computer programs were able to produce 3D images. 3D ultrasound allowed doctors to see width, height, and depth of images. However, the technology advancements of ultrasound imaging from the past few years, have made the most dramatic improvements in the ultrasound imaging. The most recent advancement in ultrasound imaging, is the development of 3D/4D and 3D/4D-real time ultrasound imaging. 3D/4D ultrasounds provide very detailed, life like images that provide more accurate measurements and diagnoses. While 3D/4D-real time provides the same results, it also becomes a moving image that is continuously updated in real time as the patient is being scanned. This new advancement in ultrasounds has greatly improved health care, specifically in obstetrics. In the first trimester of pregnancy, 3D/4D ultrasound can demonstrate normal and abnormal fetal anatomy with exquisite detail. Detailed imaging of the umbilical, spine, head and face, genitalia, and extremities is possible. This provides improved diagnosis in the first trimester, limiting the need for more invasive imaging techniques. 3D/4D greatly increases the evaluation of the fetal skeleton. Obtaining detailed structural information about the spine is important in evaluating fetuses at risk for skeletal dysplasia. With 3D/4D ultrasounds the umbilical cord and its insertion sites are readily visualized and abdominal wall defects can be accurately and thoroughly studied. With 3D/4D it has become possible to accurately measure the volume of fetal organs and assess growth and development. Although 3D/4D has improved health care throughout the entire medical field, critical improvements can be seen in just obstetrics. Technology has advanced ultrasound imaging, but also much more. Pure wave transducer In the 1960’s transducers could only provide 2D images. New technology has led to the development of x6-1 pure wave xMATRIX transducers. Pure wave transducers provide high-resolution images, for either 2D or 3d/4D. Transducers can now deliver both 3D/4D and 2D images with just the click of a button. The ultra-thin, target beam provides tissue uniformity, resulting in less artifacts. Current transducers can also take images from two planes simultaneously without rotating the transducer in which takes away the risk of losing tiny objects. Transducers now provide medical instrument navigation, which helps guide medical tools during internal procedures. Unlike old transducers, new technology allows transducers to provide high resolution images, even in the most difficult anatomy. Leading to early detection and treatment of tumors. These improvements have allowed physicals to see things that are a lot smaller and deeper, which were unable to be seen before. With these technological improvements physicians can see in much more clearer definition. â€Å"Everyone is so use to ultrasound pictures being fuzzy,† said Tomo Hasegawa, director, ultrasound business unit, Toshiba America Medical Systems. â€Å"With enhancement in computer technology, we’re starting to get images that are so clear, people don’t even realize its ultrasound. † Color Doppler Technology advancements have made ultrasounds capable of real-time color doppler flow imaging, and flow measurements. A color doppler is technology that displays blood flows information in color. Red indicates blood flow moving toward the transducer, while blue indicates blow flow moving away from the transducer. Variations in color shades indicate the magnitude of flow velocity. Color doppler make it possible to see blocked blood flow in the neck arteries that can cause strokes. It also makes it possible to see blood clots in leg veins that can black blood flow to the lungs. Color doppler has improved both stroke prevention and treatment. Color doppler has also improved fetus health care. Doctors can now see blood flow in the umbilical cord through the placenta, heart, and brain to see if the fetus is receiving enough oxygen. Without the technological advancement of color doppler blood flow and the cardiovascular system could not be examined and cared for. Cardiovascular system health care relies greatly on color doppler ultrasound. Point-of-care With technology advancing, ultrasound equipment has become more compact, higher quality, and less expensive. These advancements have led to point-of-care ultrasound, which is ultrasound that can be performed bedside and images can be obtained immediately, rather than recorded images that can be interpreted later. Point-of-care allows immediate diagnosis and procedure guidance. Emergency care has been greatly improved because of this, due to the almost immediate identification of life threatening injuries. Patient care has also been improved because they can now get diagnosed sooner and spend less time at the hospital. Point-of-care, resulting in more lives saved. As well as improved diagnosis accurately because the ultrasound is performed while the patient is experiencing symptoms. A New England journal of italic medicine review reported that point-of-care ultrasound â€Å"decreases medical errors and provides more efficient real-time diagnosis. † Conclusion These advancements of ultrasound have allowed it to become one of the most important and valuable diagnostic tools in medical areas such as cardiology, obstetrics, gynecology, surgery, pediatrics, neurology, and emergency care. Technical advancements are constantly being made, making it conceivable that every physician’s office may have ultrasound in the not so distant future.