Are you interested in medicine and technology? If you have always wondered how an ultrasound scan works, you may be interested in becoming a diagnostic medical ultrasound technician. This article will review the role of an ultrasound technician, how an ultrasound scan works, the benefits of an ultrasound and why doctors order ultrasounds. By the end of the article, you will know much more about ultrasounds so consider learning more about the Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound program at Meridian College.
Who Performs an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound is performed by a trained healthcare professional called a sonographer or a diagnostic medical ultrasound technician. These professionals specialize in using ultrasound equipment to create images of the inside of the body, which doctors use to diagnose and monitor medical conditions.
Ultrasound technicians are highly skilled in operating the equipment and ensuring the images captured are clear and detailed. They work closely with physicians, such as radiologists, who interpret the images and provide diagnoses.
How Does an Ultrasound Scan Work?
An ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the inside of the body. It’s a vital tool in modern healthcare for diagnosing and monitoring serious medical conditions. Here’s a more detailed look at how an ultrasound scan works:
Sound Wave Emission
The process begins with a handheld device called a transducer, which emits high-frequency sound waves. These sound waves are above the range of human hearing, making them completely inaudible. The transducer is connected to an ultrasound machine that generates these waves.
Interaction with Body Structures
As the sound waves travel into the body, they interact with different tissues, organs, and fluids. Depending on the density and composition of the structures they encounter, the waves either pass through, reflect, or scatter.
Echoes and Signal Collection
The reflected sound waves, known as echoes, are picked up by the same transducer. These echoes vary in intensity based on the type of tissue they reflect off—soft tissues, bones, and fluids all produce different signals.
Image Processing and Creation
The transducer sends the collected echoes back to the ultrasound machine, which processes the data into a detailed, real-time image displayed on a monitor. These images allow healthcare professionals to observe internal structures, identify abnormalities, or monitor processes such as fetal development.
Gel Application
To ensure the best results, a special water-based gel is applied to the patient’s skin before the scan. This gel eliminates air pockets between the transducer and the skin, allowing the sound waves to travel more effectively into the body. It also enhances the clarity and accuracy of the images.
What are the Benefits of an Ultrasound?
Ultrasound scans offer a wide range of benefits that make them a preferred diagnostic tool in healthcare. These benefits include safety, versatility, and the ability to provide real-time insights into the body’s internal structures. Here’s a closer look at the benefits:
Safe and Non-Invasive
Unlike X-rays or CT scans, ultrasounds use sound waves, making them safe for all patients, including pregnant women and infants. The procedure does not involve needles or incisions, making it completely non-invasive. There are no known harmful side effects from properly conducted ultrasound scans.
Real-Time Imaging
Ultrasounds provide real-time visualizations of internal structures and body movements. They are especially useful for observing:
• A fetus’s movement during pregnancy.
• Blood flow through arteries and veins (using Doppler ultrasound).
• Organs in action, such as the heart or digestive system.
Highly Versatile
Ultrasounds can be used to examine nearly any part of the body, including the abdomen, pelvic organs, blood vessels, heart (echocardiograms), muscles, tendons, and joints.
Widely Available and Cost-Effective
Ultrasound machines are commonly available in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers. Compared to other imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans, ultrasounds are generally more affordable, making them accessible to a wider range of patients.
Immediate Results
Doctors can often analyze ultrasound results during or immediately after the procedure, allowing for quick diagnosis and treatment planning.
Useful for Preventive and Emergency Care
In preventive care, ultrasounds help monitor existing conditions or identify potential health issues before they become severe. In emergency settings, they can detect conditions like internal bleeding, ruptured organs, ectopic pregnancies.
Enhanced Procedure Guidance
Ultrasounds are often used to guide medical procedures with precision, such as needle biopsies, drainage of fluid buildup, placement of injections in joints or soft tissues.
Improved Patient Comfort
The process is quick, typically taking less than 30 minutes. Patients remain awake and can interact with the ultrasound technician or doctor during the scan, easing anxiety.
No Special Preparation Needed
Most ultrasounds require little to no preparation, such as fasting or avoiding certain medications, making them convenient for patients.
Why Do Doctors Order Ultrasounds?
Doctors order ultrasounds for a variety of important reasons, as they are a safe, non-invasive, and highly effective diagnostic tool. Here are some of the primary reasons a doctor might order an ultrasound:
Pregnancy Monitoring
One of the most common uses of ultrasound is during pregnancy to:
• Monitor fetal growth and development.
• Confirm the baby’s position and gestational age.
• Check for multiple pregnancies (e.g., twins or triplets).
• Assess amniotic fluid levels and placental health.
• Detect potential abnormalities early.
Diagnosing Medical Conditions
Ultrasounds help in diagnosing a variety of medical issues, such as:
Abdominal pain: Identifying problems with organs like the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, or spleen.
Heart conditions: Using echocardiograms to assess heart function and detect abnormalities.
Thyroid issues: Evaluating nodules, enlargement, or irregularities in the thyroid gland.
Reproductive health concerns: Detecting ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, or prostate problems.
Guiding Medical Procedures
Ultrasounds are invaluable in assisting doctors during medical procedures by providing real-time imaging. For example:
Biopsies: Guiding needles to the precise location of a tumor or suspicious tissue.
Drainage procedures: Assisting with the removal of fluid buildup.
Injections: Ensuring accurate placement of medication in joints or soft tissues.
Assessing Blood Flow and Vascular Health
Doppler ultrasound technology is used to evaluate blood flow in arteries and veins, helping doctors detect blood clots, blockages or narrowing in vessels, circulation issues in the legs, arms, or brain.
Monitoring Chronic Conditions
Ultrasounds can track the progression of chronic conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis) and heart failure.
Emergency Situations
In emergency settings, ultrasounds are used to quickly diagnose conditions like internal bleeding, ectopic pregnancy, ruptured organs or appendicitis.
Want to Learn More?
Are you fascinated by the advances in 21st-century medicine that allow your health providers to see real-time pictures of blood flow in your arteries or watch a baby move? Enroll in Meridian College’s Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound Associate Degree program and get the training you need for a rewarding new career as an ultrasound technician.
Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a diagnostic medical ultrasound technician.