Ultrasound Physics 1

Sonography Fundamentals

Materials Included

Text
Video
Anatomy
Quiz

A basic knowledge of ultrasound physics and instrumentation is vital to ensure the correct application of ultrasound for both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

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A basic knowledge of ultrasound physics and instrumentation is vital to ensure the correct application of ultrasound for both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Understanding the physical attributes of ultrasound waves and how images are generated will enable you to obtain optimum images and thus help to prevent misdiagnosis.

This module (a companion to Ultrasound Physics 2) guides you through introductory ultrasound physics principles including sound waves, attenuation, and transducer function. It contains many illustrations and animations to help you understand important concepts that will help you throughout your sonography career.

Ultrasound Physics 1 is suitable for all practitioners of ultrasound, anyone interested in learning about ultrasound physics. It is a valuable learning resource for anyone getting ready for the ARDMS Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) Exam.

You’ll learn

ultrasound physics terminology and definitions
the basics: units and conversions, scientific notation, exponents and logarithms
the properties of sound waves, wave motions, concepts such as acoustic impedance and attenuation, and the laws of reflection and refraction
about power and intensity
about factors that affect images such as bandwidth, Q factor, beam configuration, slice thickness
transducer construction, types, frequency, and the different beam shapes
how an ultrasound system works
and much more (see Content tab for more detail)

Step 1 - Basics

Step 1.1 - Basic mathematics

Step 1.2 - Units of measurement

Step 1.3 - Metric system

Step 1.4 - Relationships and proportionality

Step 1.5 - Logarithms

Step 1.6 - Basic trigonometry

Step 1.7 - Decimal system

Step 2 - Waves

Step 2.1 - Definition

Step 2.2 - Classification

Step 2.3 - Propagation of mechanical waves

Step 2.4 - Acoustic variables

Step 2.5 - Characteristics and parameters of sound waves

Step 2.6 - The sound beam

Step 2.7 - Sound interference

Step 2.8 - Huygens' Principle

Step 2.9 - Decibels (dB)

Step 3 - Attenuation

Step 3.1 - Definition

Step 3.2 - Attenuation coefficient

Step 3.3 - Half-value layer thickness

Step 3.4 - Power and intensity

Step 3.5 - Acoustic impedance

Step 3.6 - Reflection and transmission coefficient

Step 4 - Pulse wave

Step 4.1 - Pulse echo principle

Step 4.2 - Pulse wave and continuous wave

Step 4.2.1 - Range equation

Step 4.2.2 - Parameters for pulse wave ultrasound

Step 4.3 - Bandwidth and operating frequency

Step 4.4 - Axial resolution

Step 4.5 - Frame rate

Step 4.6 - Temporal resolution

Step 5 - Transducers

Step 5.1 - Transducer construction

Step 5.2 - Types of transducers

Step 5.3 - Multifrequency and broadband transducers

Step 5.4 - Piezoelectric effect

Step 5.5 - Crystal thickness and operating frequency

Step 5.6 - Matching layer

Step 5.7 - Damping layer

Step 5.8 - Imaging dimensions

Step 5.9 - Axial resolution

Step 5.10 - Lateral resolution

Step 5.11 - Elevational resolution

Step 5.12 - Blind Doppler probe

Step 5.13 - Sequencing

Step 5.14 - Steering

Step 5.15 - Focusing

Step 6 - System operation

Step 6.1 - Real-time imaging

Step 6.2 - Dynamic range

Step 6.3 - Frame averaging techniques

Step 6.4 - Preprocessing and postprocessing

Step 6.5 - Pulser and beam former

Step 6.6 - Receiver

Step 6.7 - Contrast resolution

Step 6.8 - Analog to digital

Step 6.9 - Scan converter

Step 6.10 - Display

Step 6.11 - Ultrasound modes

Step 6.12 - Storage devices

Discuss units and conversions
Discuss metric system
Discuss scientific notation
Discuss exponents and logarithms
List and describe the properties of sound waves
Discuss the parameters of sound waves / speed of sound
Diagram and compare wave motions
Diagram and explain mechanisms of attenuation and attenuation coefficients
Explain acoustic impedance
Discuss power and intensity
Explain and diagram the laws of reflection and refraction
Discuss Snell's Law
Explain pulse echo principle
Compare pulse wave to continuous wave
Discuss crystal diameter and thickness
Define bandwidth and how it affects an image
Define Q factor and how it affects an image
Discuss the types of resolution
Describe how beam configuration affects image
Discuss Huygens' Principle and how it relates to phase
Compare focused and unfocused transducers
Discuss slice thickness and how it affects the image
Discuss the role of piezoelectricity in the production and processing of ultrasound
Diagram and explain transducer construction
Describe the effects of changing transducer frequency
Compare types of transducer construction and application
Discuss the types of transducers
Apply pulse echo to system design
Discuss the effect of TGC, gain, and power
List and describe equipment modes
Diagram and describe scan converters
List and describe image recorders
Discuss parts of ultrasound system
Explain filters, gates, color maps, pre, and post processing

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long

For more details on features and how your students can benefit from our unique system, click here.

Ultrasound Physics 1

You’ll learn

Other modules in this pack