MEDICAL TECHNOLOGYULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY/ SONOGRAPHY

Maria Chiaia

WHAT IS ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY/ SONOGRAPHY?

An ultrasound machine consists of a transducer (a type of probe) and a central processing unit or computer connected to a display (monitor), keyboard and printer.

WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

Ultrasounds are noninvasive tests that are used to create images of organs and systems within the body. Also referred to as sonograms, ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to capture the movement of the body's structures and can also display blood flowing through vessels. Doctors use ultrasounds to diagnose a variety of medical conditions and to assess organ function.

HOW DOES AN ULTRASOUND WORK? Conducting gel is rubbed on area of body

Machine sends out high-frequency sound waves

Sound waves get reflected off of body parts

The machine computes distances and echoes of reflected sound waves and translates them into 2D images

BASIC MACHINE PARTS

Transducer probe

Central processing unit (CPU)

Transducer pulse controls

Display

Keyboard/cursor

Disk storage device

Printer

HOW TO BECOME AN ULTRASOUND TECHNICIAN High School Degree Ultrasound Technician Program

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Associates Degree (two year programs)OR Bachelor’s Degree (four year program) 6-8 Month programs

American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) Clinical training, to get enough hours to take the exam Two parts, “a general physics section and a sub-

specialty of your choice (ob-gyn, abdominal, breast, etc.)”

WHERE DO ULTRASOUND TECHNICIANS WORK?

Hospitals are the major employer of diagnostic medical imaging professionals, however, they are able to work in doctor’s offices as well.

WHO ELSE DO ULTRASOUND TECHNICIANS WORK WITH?

Doctors

Radiologists

Physicians

Gynecologists

Oncologists

Gastroenterologists

Cardiologists

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Where do Ultrasound Technician’s work?

- Hospitals, doctor’s offices, private practices

What is an Ultrasound used for?- It provides 2D or 3D images of a part of

the body to capture tumors, growths, or a fetus.

What is the name of the tool that is moved around the patient’s body in order to produce images?

- A Transducer (Probe)

WORKS CITED "ExploreHealthCareers.org." Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. N.p.,

n.d.

Web. 21 Mar. 2014. <http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/29/Diagnostic_Medical_Sonographer>.

"Medical Uses of Ultrasound." LIVESTRONG.COM.

LIVESTRONG.COM, 25 Mar. 2010. Web. 21 Mar.

2014. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/97780-medical-uses-ultrasound/>.

"Ultrasound Technology – How It Works."

Ultrasound Schools Info RSS. N.p., n.d.

Web. 21 Mar. 2014.

<http://www.ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com/ultrasound-technology-how-it-works/>.