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The heart of most ultrasound systems is a device called a transducer,

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which uses an array of piezoelectric crystals. A piezoelectric crystal vibrates

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when an electric signal is applied

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producing high frequency sound pressure waves, which we call ultrasound.

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More importantly this type of crystal

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can also work in reverse. It can produce electrical signals

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when it detects high-frequency sound pressure waves. When a transducer

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directs ultrasound waves into the body

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they pass right through the skin and into the internal anatomy.

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As the waves encounter tissues with different characteristics and densities

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they produce echoes that reflect back to piezoelectric crystal.

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This happens more than a thousand times a second. Returning echoes are converted

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to electric signals which a computer converts into points of brightness on the image,

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corresponding to the anatomic position and the strength up the reflecting echoes

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A medical transducer contains a large array of crystals

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which allow it to make a series of image lines that together form a complete

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image frame called a sonogram.

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In addition, all the crystals are repeatedly activated many times in such a way

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that a complete image frame is formed around 20 times per second

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so that real-time motion is displayed in the ultrasound image.

Understanding Ultrasound Technology for Medical Imaging

Ultrasound systems, pivotal in medical imaging, operate on a remarkable mechanism involving a crucial component known as a transducer. This key device is powered by an array of piezoelectric crystals. These crystals have a fascinating dual functionality: they vibrate when stimulated by an electric signal, generating high-frequency sound waves - the ultrasound we use.

Moreover, the piezoelectric crystals possess the unique ability to convert incoming high-frequency sound waves into electrical signals. As the transducer emits ultrasound waves into the body, they effortlessly travel through the skin, penetrating into the internal anatomy. At this point, these waves interact with tissues of varying densities, producing echoes that bounce back to the crystals. This rapid process occurs over a thousand times each second! The returning echoes are swiftly converted to electric signals, which are then processed by a computer to create a visual representation.

The resulting image showcases different points of brightness, correlating to the anatomic location and the strength of the reflecting echoes. A medical transducer boasts an extensive array of crystals, facilitating the creation of multiple image lines that, when combined, form a comprehensive image frame referred to as a sonogram.

Furthermore, the crystals within a medical transducer are activated repeatedly, ensuring the formation of a complete image frame approximately 20 times per second. This high-speed process allows for the real-time display of motion in the ultrasound image, capturing the dynamic internal structures with precision.

Ultrasound technology, through the innovative application of piezoelectric crystals and advanced computer processing, continues to revolutionize medical imaging, providing invaluable insights into the human body in a safe and non-invasive manner.