Physics Pearls for Sonography Success

Essential ultrasound physics concepts every sonographer must know

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1
Ultrasound is a longitudinal mechanical wave

It travels through tissue by compressions and rarefactions.

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2
Sound cannot travel in a vacuum

It requires a medium to propagate.

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3
Frequency and period are reciprocals

As one increases, the other decreases.

Period Γ— Frequency = 1
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4
Higher frequency = better resolution, but less penetration

Use high frequency for superficial imaging.

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5
Wavelength is determined by both the source and the medium

It's not adjustable by the sonographer.

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6
Propagation speed in soft tissue is 1540 m/s

This constant powers distance calculations.

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7
Attenuation increases with frequency

Higher frequencies lose energy faster as they travel.

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8
Power, amplitude, and intensity are directly related

And all are adjustable by the sonographer.

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9
Axial resolution depends on spatial pulse length (SPL)

Shorter SPL = sharper axial resolution.

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10
Pulse repetition frequency (PRF) is inversely related to depth of view

Deeper imaging = lower PRF.

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11
Duty factor is the percentage of time the transducer is actively transmitting

Continuous wave = 100%, pulsed wave < 1%.

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12
Acoustic impedance = density Γ— propagation speed

Mismatch causes reflection at tissue boundaries.

Z = ρ Γ— c
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13
Constructive interference increases amplitude

Occurs when in-phase waves combine.

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14
Destructive interference reduces amplitude

Occurs when out-of-phase waves cancel each other.

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15
The 13-microsecond rule

For every 13 ΞΌs of go-return time, the reflector is 1 cm deeper.

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