Medical applications of physics (ultrasound)
- Created by: Lottie.Beth
- Created on: 27-02-17 21:38
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- Medical Applications of Physics (Ultrasound)
- Properties
- High frequency sound waves (beyond upper limit of human hearing)
- Produced by some animals (e.g. bats & dolphins) + some electronic products
- Useful because non-invasive & non-ionising
- How it works (in medicine)
- When directed at the body, the surfaces of different tissues inside the body reflect the ultrasound
- Electronic system can be used to detect ultrasound pulses& computer analyses the data received
- Ultrasound probe both transmits pulses and receives echoes
- Ultrasound waves= partly reflected when meet boundary between two medias of different density
- By timing how long it takes for reflected pulse to get back to detector, we can work out how far away the boundary is
- Uses
- Pre-natal scanning of foetus
- Computer combines many ultrasound reflection readings to produce a detailed image of developing baby
- Check baby=developing normally
- Take measurement-s of its growth
- Exact timing & distribution of echoes processed by computer & make video image of foetus
- Dentistry
- Ultrasound pulses can clean off plaque
- Breaking down kidney stones
- Kidney stones=hard masses that can block urinary tract
- Ultrasound beam concentrates high energy waves at kidney stone & turns it into sand-like particles
- These particles can then pass out of the body in the urine
- Good because relatively painless & patient doesn't have to have surgery
- Pre-natal scanning of foetus
- Safety risks
- Only after 18 weeks of pregnancy are problems with the baby's development likely to show
- Can heat tissues slightly
- In some cases, can cause small packets of gas in fluids/tissues
- Properties
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