The purpose and capabilities of scanners for ultrasound diagnostics are affected by the presence or absence of certain options. They need to be able to understand each medical officer who performs the ultrasound procedure. This will allow you to choose a scanner with the necessary set of functions and eliminate the overpayment for irrelevant modes. Knowledge of the options will also be required to obtain correct visualization during research.
Ultrasound Modes
Ultrasound diagnostics is a rather young direction in medicine. Therefore, the terminology is not completely settled. Often, equipment manufacturers call the same modes differently. To avoid confusion, we will indicate sonography programs in Indiana options for the designation of some technologies.
Mode A
There is in every modernultrasound machine. Its main task is to fix the amplitude of the signals reflected from the tissues. The image that appears on the screen will consist of curves and form an oscillogram.
It will allow you to find out where the boundaries of the objects under study are, and determine the distance to them. However, it will not be able to fix the movement.
Mode A is used for research in several areas:
·neurology – to identify various disorders;
·ophthalmology – in the diagnosis of eye diseases;
·otolaryngology – for sinusoscopy.
It has the greatest value for neurologists. It allows you to quickly detect intracranial pathologies.
M-mode, one-dimensional
This mode of operation of ultrasound is usually used for cardiac diagnostics. It displays on the screen the tissue of the heart muscle in motion. This makes it possible to evaluate their firmness and elasticity.
Suitable for research in three formats:
·M-mode or standard – this dynamic mode allows you to get a one-dimensional image.
·Color M-mode or color – involves the simultaneous use of the standard mode and color Doppler mapping. So in addition to the gray scale, the specialist will receive a color image.
·Free-angle M-mode or anatomical – used to change the angle of rotation and visualization of the heart tissue in different projections.
The procedure involves the correct placement of the patient and the sensor so that the work of the papillary muscles does not distort the results.
2D scanning, B-mode
One of the most popular options, which ranks second in terms of information content. With its help, a full-fledged 2D image is obtained. The refresh rate is 20 frames per minute.
Those areas that reflected the signal in full are highlighted on the screen in white. Tissues and organs that missed or absorbed it are black. Modern devices have a scale that includes about 300 shades – from light gray to deep black. Thus, the intensity of the signal that is reflected from certain areas is fixed. On the monitor, the specialist will clearly see neoplasms and structures that differ from each other in density.
It is not always possible to obtain a high-quality image using two-dimensional scanning. Therefore, in order to improve detail, experts use special options – auto-optimization or tissue harmonics.
b-flow
This mode of ultrasound examination can be found only in the most modern scanners. It is used to evaluate wall thickness and lumen width in vascular diagnostics. Due to the visualization features, it is possible to eliminate most of the speckle noise. Regardless of the scanning angle, the picture will be clear and contrasting.
3D scanning
It will allow you to study organs and tissues in detail, as well as identify pathologies that cannot be seen on a 2D study. The feature of this option is visualization. The image on the monitor will include several pictures showing the state of different sides of the object.
Volumetric scanning is used in the field of gynecology and obstetrics. It makes it possible to assess the development of the fetus, as well as the course of pregnancy. In other areas of medicine, this method will allow an accurate diagnosis at an early stage of the disease.
4D
The most informative and advanced scanning mode. To carry out such diagnostics, high-end equipment and special matrix sensors are required. This option can already be found in modern devices.
Its main advantage is the high quality of the image, in which even the smallest details are clearly visible. Most often, 4D scanning is used for research in the field of cardiology and prenatal medicine.
Doppler effect, Doppler, D-mode
His work is based on the Doppler effect. When moving away from the sensor, the frequency of sound waves reflected from the object decreases, and when approached, it increases.
With the help of D-mode, diagnostics of the circulatory system is carried out, which allows:
·determine the state of the vessels;
·timely identify pathologies in the tissues – they affect the characteristics of blood flow.
In this case, erythrocytes become the objects from which the wave is reflected.
Spectral modes
They allow you to see the indicators of blood flow in a graphical format. Here, the line below the axis shows the movement of blood away from the transducer. And the one that is higher is the movement towards it.
constant wave
Effective in the study of high blood flow, mitral valve and aortic valve. However, it does not allow obtaining a high-quality image from a great depth.
Pulse wave
Do not use at high blood flow. It is necessary for clear visualization of deep vessels and assessment of certain areas. It makes it possible to study turbulent and laminar blood flow.
Color Doppler, Color Mapping, Color Flow, Color Doppler Imaging
Displays the characteristics of blood flow in two formats at once – a graph on the axes and a color scheme. The blood flow directed towards the sensor is highlighted in red, and away from it in blue. Saturation of shades shows the speed of movement of red blood cells. The brighter the picture, the lower it is. Such a scheme includes detailed information about the processes occurring in the bloodstream. It will allow timely detection of pathologies in the vessels.
The CDC will enable:
·detect narrowing or dilation of blood vessels;
·track blood clots, aneurysms and various neoplasms;
·early detection of fetal malformations;
·control the course of a difficult pregnancy.
Energy mapping, energy doppler
This highly sensitive mode allows you to get high-quality imaging with slow blood flow. It has a minimum percentage of errors. Energy mapping is necessary for the study of the smallest vessels and the detection of neoplasms.
For a detailed assessment of key indicators and a quick diagnosis, it is used simultaneously with color.
tissue doppler
Uses the same principle as pulsed wave doppler. This mode is chosen for diagnosing the speed of movement of organs and their parts. Usually used to assess the work of the myocardium.
We have analyzed the basic functions of modern scanners. They have the same principle of operation, but different areas and conditions of application. Therefore, manufacturers produce different versions of devices – fromcompact mobile devicesfor emergency care to large-scalehigh-end stationary complexes.
The choice of suitable equipment is limited only by the skills of specialists, the conditions of use and the list of studies that you plan to conduct.