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If you’re considering pursuing a career in ultrasound technology, you may be wondering what major you need to pursue. Here’s a look at what you need to know.
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The History of Ultrasound
The history of Ultrasound begins in the 19th century with the development of cavitation. Cavitation is the formation of bubbles in a liquid due to changes in pressure. This phenomenon was first observed in 1794 by French physicist Pierre-Simon Laplace. Laplace was investigating the effect of sound waves on a liquid and observed the formation of bubbles.
The first use of ultrasound
The first use of ultrasound in medicine was in 1955, when Austrian physician Karl Dussik used it to detect a brain tumor. In the 1960s, ultrasound began to be used for diagnostic purposes. This included using it to visualize the fetus in pregnant women and its use in cardiology to image the heart.
The development of ultrasound
Ultrasound is a type of energy that travels through the air, or any medium, as a vibration wave. The development of ultrasound technologies began in the early 1800s, when researchers discovered that certain materials could create ultrasonic vibrations. In the late 1800s, scientists developed ways to use these vibrations to create images of objects inside the body.
The first ultrasound machine was created in 1937 by two German inventors, Karl Dussik and Heinz Kloss. This machine was used for brain imaging and was not able to create clear images. In the 1940s, another German inventor, Werner Theisen, developed a machine that could create clearer images. This machine was used for abdominal imaging.
In the 1950s, Researchers in both Scotland and the United States developed machines that could be used for obstetric imaging, which is now the most common use of ultrasound. In 1957, Scottish researcher Ian Donald and his colleagues published a paper describing how they had used ultrasound to image a fetus inside the womb. This paper helped spark interest in obstetric ultrasound around the world.
Today, ultrasound is used for a variety of medical applications including imaging of the brain, heart, blood vessels, abdomen, pelvis, and fetus.
The different types of Ultrasound
Ultrasound tech is a healthcare profession that uses sound waves to create images of the human body. The images are used to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. Ultrasound techs can specialize in a variety of areas, such as obstetrics, cardiology, and vascular.
Diagnostic ultrasound
Also called diagnostic medical sonography or ultrasound imaging, diagnostic ultrasound is the use of sound waves to create visual images of the inside of the human body. These images are then used by physicians to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions.
Ultrasound techs who specialize in this area use diagnostic ultrasound equipment to produce images of organs, blood vessels, and other internal structures. They may also be responsible for performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, such as echocardiograms and vascular studies.
In order to become a diagnostic ultrasound tech you will need to complete an accredited training program. Upon completion of your program, you will be eligible to sit for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will be credentialed as a Registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS).
Therapeutic ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to increase blood flow and tissue healing. The heat from the sound waves helps to reduce pain. This treatment is often used for conditions such as:
-tendinitis
-bursitis
-sprains and strains
-muscle spasms
-inflammation
The Use of Ultrasound
Ultrasound is sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is not different from “normal” (audible) sound in its physical properties, except that humans cannot hear it.
In medicine
In medicine, ultrasound is used to image muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and blood vessels. It can be used to investigate painfully swollen joints, for example in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is also increasingly being used in the diagnosis of conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren’s contracture.
Ultrasound can be used to image the 3 main types of tissue found in the human body: muscle tissue (myocardium), fat tissue and blood vessels (vascular tissue). Each type of tissue will reflect ultrasound waves differently. This means that different structures within the body can be visualised on an ultrasound scan.
In industry
Ultrasound is commonly used in many industries for welding, cleaning, sieving and cutting. It can be used for non-destructive testing (NDT) of materials to find surface or internal defects. Automotive components, aerospace parts and pipes are just some of the objects that can be inspected using ultrasound.
In welding, ultrasound is used to create a clean, smooth weld with no voids or porosity. In cleaning, it can remove dirt, grease and other contaminants from surfaces without the use of harsh chemicals. Sieving uses ultrasound to separate particles by size, while cutting uses it to make clean, straight cuts in materials.
The Training of Ultrasound Technicians
Ultrasound technicians, also called diagnostic medical sonographers, use special equipment to create images or sound waves of the inside of the human body. These images can be used by physicians to diagnose and treat various medical conditions. Although most ultrasound technologists learn on the job, many employers prefer to hire those who have completed an accredited ultrasound tech program
The education needed
Ultrasound tech programs are available at many community colleges, technical schools and universities across the country. The type of program you attend will likely depend on your schedule and location, as well as the admissions requirements of each school.
There are three main types of ultrasound tech programs: certificate, diploma and degree.
A certificate in ultrasound technology can be completed in as little as one year, although some certificate programs may take up to two years to complete. A diploma program usually takes two years to finish, while a degree program can take anywhere from two to four years, depending on whether you pursue an Associate’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree.
The admissions requirements for each type of program also vary. For example, some certificate and diploma programs may not require any prior postsecondary education, while most degree programs will require at least some college coursework.
In addition to completing an accredited ultrasound tech program most states also require ultrasound technicians to be licensed or certified in order to practice. The requirements for licensure or certification vary by state, but usually include passing an exam administered by a national organization such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
The different types of training
The different types of training available to become an ultrasound technician include traditional two and four-year college degree programs, one and two-year certificate programs, and on-the-job training. The most common type of program is the two-year Associate’s Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, although a four-year bachelor’s degree is becoming increasingly common.
Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass a national certification exam in order to practice. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) offers a credential called the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). This credential can be achieved by passing an exam in one or more specialty areas. Specialty areas include abdominal sonography, breast sonography, fetal echocardiography, obs/gyn sonography, and neurologic sonography.
The Future of Ultrasound
Ultrasound tech is a field that is rapidly growing. The demand for ultrasound technicians is expected to rise by 22% in the next decade. This is due to the aging population and the need for preventative care.
The continued use of ultrasound
Throughout the years, ultrasound has become more widespread and commonly used. There are now many different ways that ultrasound is used in the medical field. It is a safe, non-invasive way to look at the inside of the body and obtain diagnostic information. In recent years, technological advances have improved the quality of ultrasound images and made it possible to use ultrasound for a variety of different purposes.
Ultrasound is now being used for more than just diagnosing medical conditions. It is also being used for therapeutic purposes, such as breaking up kidney stones, treating pain, and providing physical therapy. Ultrasound may also be used in the future for surgery, as it can be used to heat and destroy tissue.
The continued use of ultrasound will likely lead to even more medical applications in the future. As technology improves, it is possible that ultrasound will be used for even more diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
The development of new uses for ultrasound
Ultrasound has been used for diagnostic purposes for many years, but there is still much potential for further development in this area. New uses for ultrasound are being found all the time, and researchers are constantly working to find new ways to use this technology to improve our understanding of the human body and to diagnose and treat diseases.
One promising area of research is the use of ultrasound for Early Detection of Cancer. Currently, ultrasounds are used to screen for certain types of cancer, but there is potential for them to be used for earlier detection, which could lead to better outcomes. There is also potential for ultrasound to be used in combination with other imaging modalities, such as MRI, to provide more information about a tumor’s size, shape, and location.
Another area of research is the use of ultrasound to improve Drug Delivery. Ultrasound can be used to target specific tissues and organs with drugs or other therapeutic agents. This targeted delivery can improve the efficacy of the treatment while reducing side effects.
Ultrasound is also being investigated as a way to non-invasively modulate the activity of cells and tissues. This stimulation can be used to improve wound healing or tissue regeneration. It can also be used to target specific cells, such as cancer cells, for destruction without harming surrounding healthy tissue.
The future of ultrasound is very exciting, and there is much potential for further development in this field. With continued research and development, ultrasound will become an even more important tool in diagnosing and treating diseases.
