o What is the Pulse-Echo technique

o SONAR (sound navigation and ranging)

o Ultrasounds
o Where are ultrasounds used and how do they work?
o A scans and B scans
o Pros and cons of using ultrasound
o Dangers and Ethical issues concerned with the use of ultrasound
An ECHO is a sound or sounds caused by the
reflection of sound waves from a surface

Total distance=speed x time

Distance d = (v x t )/ 2
Method widely used to navigate, communicate with or detect
objects on or under the surface of the water. Scientists also use
sonar to determine the depth of the ocean.
Ultrasound or ultrasonography is a medical imaging
technique that uses high frequency sound waves and
their echoes. The technique is similar to the pulse-echo
technique in SONAR used by submarines.
It describes sound waves of frequency greater(1-3MHz)
than the upper threshold of human hearing (20 KHz).
 Amplitude scans (A scans) are used to determine the depth of
boundaries between tissues or bone and tissue.
 Brightness scans (B-scans) in addition to detecting the position of
the reflecting boundary, give rise to a series of spots, with the
brightness of the spots corresponding to the amplitude of the
reflection from different layers.
Used in fetal ultrasound.
 Pros Cons
non-invasive major disadvantage; the resolution
of images is often limited
inexpensive, quick and convenient reflected very strongly on passing
from tissue to gas
range of uses of medical ultrasound does not pass well through bone
is continually growing
No harmful effects Interpretation of ultrasound images
requires highly skilled specialists
suited to imaging soft tissues such as
the heart
Ultrasound - Dangers and safety
At very high intensities, ultrasound has two effects:
localised heating of tissues
Cavitations or ruptures to arise within tissues due to the
large and rapid pressure variations produced.
Ethical Issues
Abnormalities in the foetus may be diagnosed at a
much earlier stage than they would otherwise be
apparent.
possible to tell the sex of the foetus well before birth