| Previous: TRANSIENT RECORDER | Next: TREADMILL |
| Typical Number in Hospital: | Cost Bands: | References: 1 |
Just as an X-ray computerized tomography (CT) scanner can produce a map of the X-ray absorption in a tissue section, the same principle can be applied to some organs using ultrasound. The method is not widely applicable since there are few places where ultrasound can be transmitted right through the body without encountering total reflection or high attenuation in bone or air- filled spaces. However, the breasts and testes can be scanned by this method to produce a map of ultrasound absorption for the various tissues involved. It is hoped that this will lead to a new science of tissue characterization by absorption, but instruments for clinical use are not widely available.
There are problems associated with the technique related to multiple reflections and distortions of the ultrasonic beam by the complex tissue structures. There are potential applications in examining the pathology of biopsy tissue by transmission scanners (ultrasonic microscopes) using frequencies up to 500 MHz.
The apparatus consists of an ultrasonic generator, transducers placed each side of the organ being scanned, and a receiving and amplifying circuit. A scanning mechanism is also required together with a computer to assemble the image of ultrasound absorption characteristics.
Content and Design Copyright 2000 Dr. Malcolm C Brown. See Title Page for more details