Transducer Form and Function - USA

Welcome to Fundamentals of Ultrasound: Transducer Form and Function.     The transducer is one of the most important tools used in diagnostic medical ultrasound. Technical skill and transducer selection are integral components used to create medical images that help physicians answer clinical questions.   We will begin with the external components of the transducer. Then we will go over the handle and reference marker, which is key to image orientation. We will cover the internal components of the transducer. Next, we discuss common vernacular for imaging zones in the acoustic field and transducer field of view. Finally, we will discuss some general transducer selections as they relate to common ultrasound examinations.     Let get started!  Congratulations. You have just finished the Ultrasound Fundamentals Transducer Form and Function Online Training course. Listed below are the key points that have been presented. Take time to review before you proceed to the final quiz.    Select the link below to view/print your review material before proceeding to the final quiz. Course Review Outline the components of a transducer Cable - Power to the transducer. Strain relief - A thick elastic material that protects and binds the cable and transducer housing interface. Connector - The connector engages the transducer to the ultrasound system. Acoustic Lens - Aligns the acoustic impedance of the elements. Aperture and elevation focuses the beam. Piezoelectric Element - The elements can be made from naturally occurring or manmade crystal, or ceramic. Quantity, type and arrangement depend on the transducer design. Matching Layer(s) - This layer is atop the elements and can be several thin layers of material that creates equilibrium between the piezoelectric elements and the acoustic lens so the sound energy can transmit. The matching layer creates a conduit for the wave energy to pass. Blocking/Backing Material - Bound to the piezoelectric elements. The backing block absorbs some of the ringing that occurs from the generation of the transmit pulse. Electronic channels- parallel circuitry that simultaneously send and receive. Acoustic Coupling - Lens pressed into the acoustic material and the skin, reduces air and surface creates an efficient transmission boundary. Air and Impedance - The impedance of tissue to air are very large. When ultrasound encounters air anywhere along the path, the air boundary bounces the energy back. Air effect at the lens - Air has much different impedance than the skin and air stops the sound energy. Name the image zones Near field – In theory the region is closest to the origin of the beam. Focus zone(s) - The focus is the region of interest that is in focus with the clearest and best definition. There can be single or multiple focal zones. Focus Uniformity - Dynamic focus, continuously optimize the image from the near to far field eliminating the need for multiple focal zones. Far Field - As the beam moves farther out this becomes the far field. Depth - The depth of the field of view displayed along the vertical Y-axis. Width - The width is across the horizontal or X-axis within the field of view relative to its shape of shape of the transducer. . Associate common transducer beam shapes to an exam type Linear FOV – The FOV is rectangular and sometimes trapezoid. This is a versatile transducer to detail tissue composition. Curved FOV – Fan or chevron shaped FOV, fans out to show the broad relationship of the organs to one another. Vector or Phased FOV – Designed to scan between ribs, this FOV originates at a small point and then fans out to a larger region of interest. Micro Convex FOV – Similar to the convex but has a small interface used for small ‘windows’ or tight spaces emits a very wide beam shape that fans or angles outward.   The ultrasound beam that creates the acoustic field has three basic zones commonly referred to as the near-field, the focused zone or focal zone, and the far-field. The near-field is the region that is theoretically nearest to the origin of the beam.  The focal length or focal zone is the region with the best focus. The far-field is the furthest region, deeper into the beam. Select Learn more below for details on the the imaging zones within the acoustic field.   Image Zones Learn more about the image zones Instructions:Select Next to advanvce to the next slideFlash File:HTML5 File:/content/generator/Course_90021740/SIM_6_FINAL/index.htmlPDF File: The transducer handle is the ergonomic portion of the transducer and orients the operator to the image plane. In this section you will be familiarized with these commonplace features:    Transducer handle Reference marker on the transducer Select Learn more below for details on the handle and reference marker orientation.   Transducer Handle Reference Marker Learn more about the transducer handle and reference marker. Instructions:Select Next to advance to the next slide.Flash File:HTML5 File:/content/generator/Course_90021740/New_SIM_Transducer_04_1169_X_877_Final/index.htmlPDF File: In this discussion, we will begin at the acoustic lens and work backward toward the cable. These are the layers of the acoustic stack:   Matching layer(s) Piezoelectric Element (s) Backer Electronics Select Learn more below for more information on internal components of the transducer Transducer Internal Components Learn more about the internal components of the transducer. Instructions:Select Next to advance to the next slide.Flash File:HTML5 File:/content/generator/Course_90021740/SIM_5_Transducer_1280_X_720/index.htmlPDF File: Exterior components of the transducer are consistent across all transducers. These components include: The Acoustic Lens The Strain Relief  The Cable The Connector Select Learn more below to explore the external components of the transducer. Transducer External Components Learn more about the external components of the transducer. Instructions:Select Next to advance to the next slide.Flash File:HTML5 File:/content/generator/Course_90021740/SIM_3/index.htmlPDF File: The reproduction, transmission or distribution of this training or its contents is not permitted without express written authority. Offenders will be liable for damages.   All names and data of patients, parameters and configuration dependent designations are fictional and examples only. All rights, including rights created by patent grant or registration of a utility model or design, are reserved.   ACUSON Sequoia is a trademark of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.   Copyright © Siemens Healthcare GmbH, 2020   Please note that the learning material is for training purposes only!   For the proper use of the software or hardware, please always use the Operator Manual or Instructions for Use (hereinafter collectively “Operator Manual”) issued by Siemens Healthineers. This material is to be used as training material only and shall by no means substitute the Operator Manual. Any material used in this training will not be updated on a regular basis and does not necessarily reflect the latest version of the software and hardware available at the time of the training.   The Operator Manual shall be used as your main reference, in particular for relevant safety information like warnings and cautions. Note: Some functions shown in this material are optional and might not be part of your system. The information in this material contains general technical descriptions of specifications and options as well as standard and optional features that do not always have to be present in individual cases.   Certain products, product related claims or functionalities described in the material (hereinafter collectively “Functionality”) may not (yet) be commercially available in your country. Due to regulatory requirements, the future availability of said Functionalities in any specific country is not guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens Healthineers sales representative for the most current information.   The type of clinical application or ultrasound examination and the patient’s body size defines the transducer choice. Transducers are designed to be used externally on the skin surface and intracavity. Each transducer creates a beam shape called the field of view or FOV. Select Learn more below for more information on choosing a transducer.   Choosing Transducer Learn more on choosing a transducer Instructions:Select Next to advance to the next slide.Flash File:HTML5 File:/content/generator/Course_90021740/Final_Choose_Transducer_Final/index.htmlPDF File: Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:   Outline the components of a transducer Describe the function of the reference marker Name the image zones Associate common transducers to an exam type