1. Medical Ultrasound Imaging
Josh Nolting
Graduate Student
University of Colorado, APPM Dept.

2. Presentation Overview
 General ultrasound method
 Comparison between ultrasound and x-ray
 History
 Various uses
 Physics of the method
 Current state
 Continuing technology
 Conclusion

3. General method
 Place small transducer against the skin
 Emits high frequency sound waves
 Detects bounce back waves
 Differenttissues reflect different waves
 Reconstruction software
 Viewing structure on a screen

4. Diagnostic Ultrasound X-rays
(radiology)
wave type longitudinal mechanical electromagnetic
waves waves
transmission elastic medium No medium
requirements
generation stressing the medium accelerating electric
charges
depends on the medium
velocity It is relatively constant:
through which it
299,792.456.2 m/s
propagates
similar waves seismic, acoustic radio, light

5.  Discovery
History
 High frequency (“ultrasound”)
 Lazzaro Spallanzini, 1794
 Bats navigation
 Francis Galton
 Galton whistle (above audible frequency)
 Gabriel Lippman, 1881
 Reciprocal behavior of achieving a mechanical stress in
response to a voltage difference was mathematically
deduced.
 Generation and reception of ‘ultrasound’

6. History
 First use of diagnostic ultrasound
 Dr.Karl Dussik, 1942
 Locate brain tumors
 Two devices
 Emitter and reciever

7. Physics of the Method
 Longitudinal mechanical waves
 Needs elastic medium
 Transducer needs to be in contact with skin
 Component resolution
 3 MHZ ->1.1 mm
 10 MHZ -> .3 mm
 Wave velocity
 Fat -> 1450 m/s
 Muscle ->1580 m/s

8. Various Uses
 View soft tissue
 Heart
 Pelvis and reproductive organs
 Kidneys, liver, pancreas, gall bladder
 Eye
 Thyroid
 Blood vessels
 Fetus

9. Current State
 3D/4D images can be attained
 Used in conjunction with 2D

10. 4D yawn
 4D Yawn

11. Current State
 Telesonography
 Remote ultrasound diagnosis
 Mainly used as a “store and forward technology”

12. Continuing Technology
 Color Imaging
 Quantum computing
 Detection of more tissues
 Better transducers (ie. Higher resolution)
 More readings
 Better breast cancer detection
 Can decypher between a malignant mass and a benign cyst.
 Painless and safe compared to mammography

13. Color Imaging

14. Color Imaging

15. Color Imaging

16. Conclusion
 Ultrasound is an important medical imaging
mechanism
 Non-invasive
 Powerful
 Cheap

17. References
 “Medical Procedures”,Imaginis Corporation. Updated 10 November 2000.
This document is http://imaginis.com/ultrasound/
 “High Definition Three-Dimensional Ultrasound”, University of
Cambridge. This document is http://mi.eng.cam.ac.uk/~gmt11/hd3dus/
 “History of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology”, Woo, Joseph. This
document is http://www.ob-ultrasound.net/
 “3D/4D Ultrasound: State-of-the-Art Technology”, Greater Pittsburgh
Ob/Gyn &Mercylink. This document is
http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/pittsburgh/ultrasound.htm
 “Telemedicine”, Dr. G Diaz. This document is http://www.drgdiaz.com

18. Questions?