The technology is incredibly safe, and it mimics the technology used in sonars and radars, where sound waves are sent so they can travel through soft tissue and fluids, but these bounce back or echoes off, denser surfaces, this is how images are created.
The sound frequency used in ultrasounds is inaudible to humans, for diagnostic purposes the ultrasound is usually between 2 – 18 MHZ. The frequency is constantly adjusted during the procedure depending on how deep the tissue or organ that needs to be imaged is, as high-frequency ultrasounds are ideal for superficial imaging, while low frequencies can penetrate deeper.
Why Are Ultrasounds Performed?
Ultrasound examinations can help diagnose a variety of conditions and assess organ damage following an illness or trauma.
Doctors use ultrasound when patients have any of the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Infection