Ultrasound uses what kind of waves

HIFU is currently FDA approved for the treatment of uterine fibroids, to alleviate pain from bone metastases, and most recently for the ablation of prostate tissue. HIFU is also being investigated as a way to close wounds and stop bleeding, to break up clots in blood vessels, and to temporarily open the blood brain barrier so that medications can pass through.

Diagnostic ultrasound is generally regarded as safe and does not produce ionizing radiation like that produced by x-rays. Still, ultrasound is capable of producing some biological effects in the body under specific settings and conditions.

For this reason, the FDA requires that diagnostic ultrasound devices operate within acceptable limits. The FDA, as well as many professional societies, discourage the casual use of ultrasound e.

The following are examples of current research projects funded by NIBIB that are developing new applications of ultrasound that are already in use or that will be in use in the future:. ARFI is a new technique developed by researchers at Duke University with NIBIB support that uses ultrasound elastography to differentiate liver tumors from healthy tissue, as well as identify the presence of fibrosis.

This non-invasive method could reduce unnecessary liver biopsies, which can be painful and sometimes dangerous. Image on left courtesy of Katharine Nightengale, Ph. Low-cost, miniature ultrasound. Just like computers, medical ultrasound imagers have been getting smaller and smaller. One of the biggest challenges is connecting the ultrasound transducer at the tip of the probe to the extensive computer chip-based signal processing and imaging electronics.

The Vscan is a palm-size ultrasound scanner, which has both anatomical imaging and color Doppler capability. The device is currently in clinical use and costs considerably less than a full-sized ultrasound scanner.

Its small size and low cost, as well as range of applications, allow it to be used in ambulances, emergency rooms, field hospitals, or other remote locations. It is currently being used in more than 60 countries around the world. Vscan image on right courtesy of Kai Thomenius, Ph.

Histotripsy technique for dissolving blood clots. Researchers at the University of Michigan are investigating the clot-dissolving capabilities of a high intensity ultrasound technique, called histotripsy, for the non-invasive treatment of deep-vein thrombosis DVT.

This technique uses short, high-intensity pulses of ultrasound to cause clot breakdown. The researchers have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of this technique in pigs and its possible use in humans.

They are currently working on new methods to avoid inadvertent vessel damage during clot treatment, and to provide real-time imaging feedback to monitor the treatment. This research could have a significant impact, since current conventional treatments for DVT involve drug therapy and sometimes invasive removal of the clots, which requires a several-day hospital stay, and may result in complications after treatment.

In contrast, the non-invasive histotripsy technique is 50 times faster than the current technique, does not require drugs or external agents, and if successful, could be used as an outpatient procedure.

How does it work? What is ultrasound used for? Are there risks? The chart here shows different kinds of waves of electromagnetic energy. X-ray is the oldest kind of imaging technology. X-rays use high-energy ionizing radiation.

When the rays pass through your body, bones and teeth stop the rays and show up white on the radiograph, or X-ray picture. Less hard substances like muscles let more of the rays through, so they show up as gray or black. Ultrasound has difficulty penetrating bone and, therefore, can only see the outer surface of bony structures and not what lies within except in infants who have more cartilage in their skeletons than older children or adults.

Doctors typically use other imaging modalities such as MRI to visualize the internal structure of bones or certain joints. Please type your comment or suggestion into the text box below. Note: we are unable to answer specific questions or offer individual medical advice or opinions.

Some imaging tests and treatments have special pediatric considerations. The teddy bear denotes child-specific content. Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist or other physician. To locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database. This website does not provide cost information. The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments and procedures may vary by geographic region.

Web page review process: This Web page is reviewed regularly by a physician with expertise in the medical area presented and is further reviewed by committees from the Radiological Society of North America RSNA and the American College of Radiology ACR , comprising physicians with expertise in several radiologic areas. Outside links: For the convenience of our users, RadiologyInfo. Toggle navigation. What is General Ultrasound Imaging? What are some common uses of the procedure?

How should I prepare? What does the equipment look like? How does the procedure work? How is the procedure performed? What will I experience during and after the procedure?

Who interprets the results and how do I get them? What are the benefits vs. What are the limitations of General Ultrasound Imaging? A Doppler ultrasound study may be part of an ultrasound examination. There are three types of Doppler ultrasound: Color Doppler uses a computer to convert Doppler measurements into an array of colors to show the speed and direction of blood flow through a blood vessel.

Power Doppler is a newer technique that is more sensitive than color Doppler and capable of providing greater detail of blood flow, especially when blood flow is little or minimal.

Power Doppler, however, does not help the radiologist determine the direction of blood flow, which may be important in some situations.

Spectral Doppler displays blood flow measurements graphically, in terms of the distance traveled per unit of time, rather than as a color picture.

It can also convert blood flow information into a distinctive sound that can be heard with every heartbeat. Doctors use ultrasound to evaluate : pain swelling infection Ultrasound is a useful way of examining many of the body's internal organs, including but not limited to the: heart and blood vessels, including the abdominal aorta and its major branches liver gallbladder spleen pancreas kidneys bladder uterus , ovaries , and unborn child fetus in pregnant patients eyes thyroid and parathyroid glands scrotum testicles brain in infants hips in infants spine in infants Ultrasound is also used to: guide procedures such as needle biopsies , in which needles remove cells from an abnormal area for laboratory testing.

Ultrasound of the heart is commonly called an "echocardiogram" or "echo" for short. Doppler ultrasound helps the doctor to see and evaluate: blockages to blood flow such as clots narrowing of vessels tumors and congenital vascular malformations reduced or absent blood flow to various organs, such as the testes or ovary increased blood flow, which may be a sign of infection With knowledge about the speed and volume of blood flow gained from a Doppler ultrasound image, the doctor can often determine whether a patient is a good candidate for a procedure like angioplasty.

You may need to change into a gown for the procedure. Doctors perform Doppler sonography with the same transducer. These exams include: Transesophageal echocardiogram. The doctor inserts the probe into the esophagus to obtain images of the heart. Transrectal ultrasound. The doctor inserts the probe into a man's rectum to view the prostate. Transvaginal ultrasound. The doctor inserts the probe into a woman's vagina to view the uterus and ovaries. Most ultrasound exams are painless, fast, and easily tolerated.

Ultrasound exams that insert the transducer into a body cavity may produce minimal discomfort. Most ultrasound exams take about 30 minutes. More extensive exams may take up to an hour. After an ultrasound exam, you should be able to resume your normal activities immediately. Benefits Most ultrasound scanning is noninvasive no needles or injections.

Occasionally, an ultrasound exam may be temporarily uncomfortable, but it should not be painful.