Medical Physics

Ultrasound imaging

2.2.18 Explain the piezoelectric effect

Ultrasound waves refers to sound waves of frequencies above 20 kHz

Ultrasound waves are produced by a transducer that converts electrical signals to an ultrasound beam

2.2.18 Explain the piezoelectric effect

When certain crystalline minerals are subjected to a mechanical force, the crystals became electrically polarized. Tension and compression generated voltages of opposite polarity, and in proportion to the applied force. This effect is called the piezoelectric effect.

2.2.18 Explain the piezoelectric effect

If these voltage-generating crystals are exposed to an electric field it lengthened or shortened according to the polarity of the field, and in proportion to the strength of the field. This effect is called the inverse piezoelectric effect.

2.2.19 Discuss properties of ultrasound

Requires a material medium in which to travel Longitudinal Can be reflected, refracted and focused Velocity in a given material is constant independent of frequency and wavelength Velocity depends on the material in which it travels
I. travels slower in materials with higher density II. travels faster in materials of high compressibility

 Acoustic impedance = velocity of sound in material density of material Z = v kgm-2s-1

Attenuation of ultrasound Ultrasound is attenuated with depth of travel through a material because
1. energy is used doing work against frictional and viscous forces in the material 2. Scattering and partial reflection at the multitude of interfaces that the beam encounters

Ultrasound is attenuated exponentially and attenuation increases with frequency of the ultrasound.

2.2.20 Explain the principles of ultrasound imaging

An ultrasound image is generated when the pulse wave emitted from the transducer is transmitted into the body, reflected off tissue interface and returned to the transducer. The transducer waits to receive the returning wave (i.e. echo) after each pulsed wave. The transducer transforms the echo (mechanical energy) into an electrical signal which is processed and displayed as an image on the screen.

2.2.20 Explain the principles of ultrasound imaging

Imaging techniques
A-mode (amplitude mode-echoranging) http://www.absorblearning.com/media/item.ac tion?quick=15b

 When the pulse returns to P, the reflected pulse gives information of two measurements: The amplitude of the reflected signal, and the time it takes returning. Amplitude is dependent on amount of energy reflected. Time is dependent on the distance from the probe. When this is measured, the scatterer is displayed with amplitude and position.

 To provide a sustained image the pulse is repeated typically with a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 1 kHz. The transducer is pulsed for 1 s and receives echoes for 999 s.
B-mode (brightness mode imaging) Transducer pulsed at regular intervals as with A-mode Ultrasound beam scans back and forth across a two dimensional section

 The acoustic impedance of air at a certain place is 430 kgm-2s-1 what is the velocity of air at that place given that the density of the air is 1.29 kgm-3 ? About 30% of ultrasound that is incident at right angles on a bone-tissue interface is reflected. The acoustic impedance of the bone is 5.0 106 kgm-2s-1 , determine the velocity of the ultrasound in the tissue given that the average density of tissue is 1000 kgm-3 . The attenuation of 1.0 MHz ultrasound by bone is 15 dBcm-1 , what is the half value layer of bone for ultrasound at this frequency?