Breast Ultrasound

What is Breast Ultrasound?
In dense breast tissue, the ultrasound can create an image that often allows a doctor to distinguish between a fluid-filled cyst and a solid mass. Breast ultrasound can image several different types of breast conditions, including both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) lesions.
Ultrasound is frequently used to evaluate breast abnormalities that are found with screening mammography or diagnostic mammography or during a physician performed clinical breast exam. Mammograms do not make this distinction as accurately, though they are better than ultrasounds at detecting microcalcifications (which can be an early sign of breast cancer). Often, breast abnormalities that are suspected to be cancerous
after a mammogram can be identified as benign with a follow-up ultrasound examination. 
Benign breast abnormalities can include cysts and plugged milk ducts. Ultrasound imaging requires a licensed sonogram technician  who can examine suspect areas of the breast by positioning the transducer in several positions. The operator must decide when to reposition the transducer, or the patient, in order to get the best images.

Understanding Ultrasound Physics

The six electrical components of the system are connected together so that information can be transferred to and from each individual part.

A Master synchronizer coordinates all of the components of an ultrasound system. Some sonographers do not consider the synchronizer to be a separate component. Whether or not specifically identified, all of the modules of the system must function in a coordinated manner.

A transducer converts electrical energy into acoustic energy during transmission,and turns returning energy into electrical energy during reception.

A pulser (transmitter) controls the electrical signals sent to the transducer for sound wave generation. The pulser determines the following: PRF, pulse amplitude, pulse repletion period, the firing pattern for phased array systems, and frequency for CW systems.

A receiver and image processor receives the electrical signal produced by the PZT from the returning echoes and creates an image for presentation on an appropriate display.

A display is associated with the visual presentation of the processed data. The display may be a CRT (television), a transparency, a spectral plot, or a number of other formats or devices.

Storage devices or "media" are used to permanently archive the US studies. Storage material consists of video tape, paper, film, transparent film, and computer discs.

Menstrual Cycle

This is my attempt in explaining the menstrual cycle. I decided to write about this since I must learn all of it for my future job.



It all starts with the Pituitary glands, they  secrete a hormone that flows through the blood stream and reaches the ovaries, creating a follicular cyst, surrounded by eggs and secreting hormones. Then the pituitary gland secretes another hormone called the LH(Luteal Hormone). There is a peak of the hormone level that will release the egg. The egg is then sucked in by the fallopian outer edge. It takes 5-6 days for the egg to travel to get to the uterus. Back to the over, after the follicle has ruptured out of it, it is converted into this yellowish body called the corpus luteum. Cells of the corpus luteum secrete the hormone called progesterone, which bring about important changes to the lining of the endometrium making it suitable for fertilized egg. If there is no fertilized egg then the endometrium lining will shed causing the menstrual bleeding.

Transducer

Today I will explain to you how a transducer works.

For a Sonogram exam the technician uses a device called a transudcer this transducer emits pulse waves into the body. Inside the transducer there is a part called the "backing material" this backing material holds back the electricity that is coming in from the wire, then it is released and hits the crystals and causes a phenomenon called the piezoelectric effect which then emits a pulse into the body as a sound wave. Before entering the body it must pass through the matching layer which is placed infront of the crystals.The purpose of the matching layer is to try to maximize transmission of ultrasound from the crystals to the patient. Once the sound wave has reached a boundary it will return to the transducer and it will be converted back into electric energy then it will form an image.

And back.

Ive been preparing myself for the physics exam. Once I get to chapter 15 which will be after two classes I have to sign up for the exam online. I can not wait I feel as if I know so much more now thanks to the tutoring that I can't wait to sit for the exam. The exam will have 120 questions. I like to practice at home with this physics program I have called "Davies" it is very good and helps me a lot. I take quizes and see how I've  progressed. EXCITED! I need to be working as a tech before 25 that is my goal!! woo lets get it!

Happy

Loves him, he always makes my day.

Hello bloggers!

So excited finally got my diploma and I can't wait to take my physics exam in August.  >_<

Pulsed Waves

Listening time and depth of view: Directly related

SPL and number of cycles in a pulse: Directly related

SPL and frequency of the cycles in a pulse: Inversely related

SPL and Pulse Duration: Directly related

Maximum imaging depth and SPL: Unrelated

Maximum imaging depth and PRP: Directly related

Maximum imaging depth and PRF: Inversely related

PRP and PRF: Inversely related

Image quality and SPL: Inversely related

Image quality and Pulse Duration: Inversely related

Wavelength and SPL: Directly related

Metric System

Thinking

Thinking about the future and what I want to major in can be kind of stressful. I've come to a conclusion and that is majoring in Psychology. From having an Associates degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonographer I've jumped into Psychology. The reason why I want to study Psychology is because of all the interesting things you can learn about the human brain and peoples way of being. I think it will be something amazing to learn and all of the different people I will learn about and be able to meet. I've read many things about students taking these classes and how they are enjoying them. I want to start already but first I must get my Ultrasound license and have that as my back bone than start with Psychology. I am very dedicated to this and nothing is stopping me from doing it. I feel happy now that I have finally figured  everything out now I can relax :)

Ultrasound Physics Chp. 1

1. Give the units of measure for each term:

-Wavelength: mm, cm

-Frequency:1/sec, Hz

-Intensity: watts, sq cm

-Propagation speed: m/sec

-Period: sec, usec

-Power: watts

2. Which determines each of these parameters, the medium or the US system?

-Wavelength: both
-Frequency: sound source
-Intensity: sound source
-Propagation Speed: medium
-Period: sound source
-Power: sound source

3. Which of the following can not be changed by the Sonographer?

-Wavelength, Propagation speed, Period

4. Acoustic Variables are:

-Density, Temperature, Pressure and Particle motion

5. How many cycles occur in 0.5 seconds if the frequency is 5 million Hz? 2, 500, 000 cycles

6. What is the acoustic velocity in soft tissue? 1,540 m/s or 1.54 km/sec

Tutoring

I am being tutored by my ultrasound teacher at her house with four other students. The classes are in spanish. At first I thought I wasn't going to comprehend but it turned out that I understand everything just like I would in English. Today we went over chapter one and two I soaked it all in and I wasn't lost at all. I can't wait for the next class I am so happy I am that much closer to taking my exam.

Here are something's I want to go over, it is something I need to remember.

- Frequency and Period: Inversely related and Reciprocals

- Power and Amplitude: Directly related

- Intensity and Power: Directly proportional

- Intensity and Amplitude: Intensity is proportional to the waves amplitude squared


- Wavelength and Frequency: Inversely related

- Stiffness and Speed: Directly related

- Density and Speed: Inversely related

- SPL and Frequency: Inversely related

- SPL and the number of cycles per pulse: Directly related


- SPL and Wavelength: Directly related


- PRP and Depth of View: Directly related


- PRF and Depth of view: Inversely related


- Distance and Attenuation: Directly related


- Frequency and Attenuation: Directly related

Anxiety

I haven't been writing lately on my blog. A lot has happened this past month I don't even know where to start. One thing I have learned and I have realized is that a lot of people have anxiety. Me myself I suffer from anxiety and it is something a lot of people may not realize they have. Most people with anxiety tend to be more hyper and antsy than others. For example my brother suffers from being very hyper active and tends to want to do so many things all at once and doesn't even know where to begin. I am also the same way. The only difference between me and him is that we have different ways in trying to relax our selves and try to calm down. He tends to try and ease himself with things that he shouldn't be calming him self down with, doing that it starts to become an addiction and it can lead to worse things. Me in the other hand I have anxiety but not all the time like my brother. I tend to show my anxiety when I am about to start an interview for an employer or when I don't feel I am being productive or I want to achieve something and I try so hard that I mess up. Anxiety happens to all of us at one point in our lives and I feel it is something we should all learn about so we can try to be more relaxed in ways where it won't affect us. I am writing this because I feel I should share it and maybe it can help people. Basically what I am trying to say is my brother has always been very hyper since he was very little and when you are a child sometimes you disregard that your child is so hyper because you just think he or she is young and full of energy but they might always be that way and as they get older you can realize that they might have some sort of a problem and you can try to guide them in the right way and know how to help them from the start.

Pregnancy Trimesters

First trimester		Second trimester		Third trimester
week 1----		week 13----		week 26----		week 40
mon 1	mon 2	mon 3	mon 4	mon 5	mon 6	mon 7	mon8	mon 9

Twins

Kidney

The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. Each kidney is about 4 or 5 inches long -- about the size of a fist.

The kidneys' function are to filter the blood. All the blood in our bodies passes through the kidneys several times a day. The kidneys remove wastes, control the body's fluid balance, and regulate the balance of electrolytes. As the kidneys filter blood, they create urine, which collects in the kidneys' pelvis -- funnel-shaped structures that drain down tubes called ureters to the bladder.

Each kidney contains around a million units called nephrons, each of which is a microscopic filter for blood. It's possible to lose as much as 90% of kidney function without experiencing any symptoms or problems.

Sonographically

Spleen

The spleen is an organ in the upper left side of the abdomen. It filters the blood by removing old or damaged blood cells and platelets. It also helps the immune system by destroying bacteria and other foreign substances. The
spleen holds extra blood that can be released into the circulatory system if needed.

Sonographically

Human Anatomy

Liver

*Three major functions of the liver are :
- It cleans your blood.
- It produces an important digestive liquid called bile.
- It stores energy in form of a sugar called glycogen.

Liver Anatomically:

 Liver Sonographically:

In this image you see the Hepatic Veins entering the IVC.

Indecisive

Looking at the ARDMS licenses now I am confused. I want to get the ARDMS and be able to work in any specialty, but I see that for vascular there is a totally different license required. The job I would be getting for sure is requiring Vascular so I might just take the vascular exam and be certified for VRT and than before five years I must apply for the official ARDMS that way I can get abdomen and OB/GYN. AHH going nuts!

Doppler Effect

The Doppler Effect is the phenomenon in which blood in veins or arteries for example are moving towards or away from the probe with different frequencies. This is mainly applied to laminar and turbulent flow within a vascular structure. When the source moves toward the listener, the perceived frequency is higher than the emitted frequency, creating a higher pitched sound. If the sound moves away from the listener, the perceived frequency is lower than the transmitted frequency, and the sound will have a lower pitch. 

:)

I haven't been updating lately. I have been slacking on my blog. Trying to figure what is the best way for me to take in all the information that I need to learn. I found a good website that I have been studying from called Quizlet.com it provides me with almost every subject you can think of. One thing I must do is get back on Blogger, I loved writing on here but I haven't had the time really with studying and work.
Another thing that has been distracting me a bit is the Kindle App I recently downloaded I am obsessed
with it.

I'll be back soon with the next topic. TTYL

Propagation Speed

Propagation Speed is the maximum speed an acoustic wave moves through a medium. Propagation speed increases proportionally with the stiffness ( the stiffer the medium the faster the wave will travel).

Wavelength

Wavelength is the length measured from one crest of one wave to the other crest of the wave.

Wavelength is measured in units of distance: mm, cm, m, nano meters, micro meters, etc.

Sound Waves

A wave is a propagation of energy that moves back and forth or vibrates at a steady rate. Sound waves are mechanical oscillations that are transmitted by particles in a gas, liquid, or solid medium. Generated by an external source, ultrasound is the transmission of high frequency mechanical vibrations greater than 20 kilohertz (kHz) through a medium.

Waves are generated over a period of time. The time required to produce each cycle depends on the frequency of the transducer. Frequency is equal to the number of cycles per second by the sound source and the particles of the medium. The speed of the wave depends on the property of the medium. There are many forms of energy that travel in the forms of waves such as a sound.There are two types of waves. Mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.

Mechanical waves are characterized by physical motion of particles in the medium and cannot travel through a vacuum. Electromagnetic waves on the other hand travel through a vacuum.

Waves are further classified as Longitudinal and Transverse waves.
Example:  

A Longitudinal wave is considerded when the particles in the medium vibrate parallel to the direction that the sound wave is traveling. 

Transverse waves means the particles in a medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction the sound wave is traveling.

Introduction to Basic Ultrasound principles

To get a good image free of artifacts, sonographers need to have a firm understanding of the basic ultrasound principles. This inculdes ultrasound physics, including common terminology, measurement units, and the fundaments of sound generation.

Sound is generated by a sound source, for exapmle a tuning for or a violin string. When their source vibrates, adjacent partices are displaced.These particles push against other adjacent particles. This constant pushing is known as particle vibration.

Ultrasound refers to sound waves beyond the human audiable range. Diagnostic applications of ultrasound use frequencies of 1 to 10 million cycles/sec, or 1 to 10MHz. Ultrasound is used to examine soft tissue anatomic structures within all areas of the body.

In medical ultrasound, the vibrating source is a ceramic element that vibrates in response to an electrical signal. The vibrating motion of the ceramic elements in the transducer causes the particles in the surrounding tissue to vibrate. As the source vibrates, it periodically presses against and pulls away from the adjacent medium with resultant particle compression and expansion (rarefaction) in the medium. This movement of energy through structures is called a wave. Patients are examined with a transducer that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. As the sound beam is directed into the body at various angles to the organs, reflection, absorption, and scatter cause the returning signal to be weaker than the initial impulse. Over a short period of time, multiple anatomic images are acquired in a real-time format.

Criteria for identifying abnormalities

Once the sonographer checks all the anatomical parts to be in place than they check for any abnormalities or presence of pathologies. 

The border of the structure may be smooth and well defined, or irregular.

The texture (parenchyma) of the structure is either homogeneous or heterogenous.

The characteristic of an organ or of a mass is said to be anechoic, hypoechoic, isoechoic, hyperechoic, or echogenic to the rest of the parenchyma.

The transmission of the sound is either increased, decreased, or unchanged. An anechoic mass will show increased transmission of sound, whereas a dermoid tumor will show decreased transmission. 

Structures may be identified as cystic, complex, or solid. Transmission is altered depending on what the mass is.

Cystic: A cyst has smooth, well-defined borders, anechoic, increased through-transmission.

Complex: Has characteristics of both a cyst and a solid structure.

Solid: Irregular borders, internal echoes, decreased through transmission.

Ultrasound Pictures

These are pictures of the ultrasound protocol my teacher was doing one day in lab. It shows to baby's she was having fraternal twins.

Medical terms for sonography

For every examination a sonographer is required to describe the normal and abnormal things they see after an examination. Here are the words they use and what their definition is.

_Anechoic or Sonolucent: Without internal echoes; the structure is fluid-filled and transmits sound easily.

_Echogenic or Hyperechoic: Echo producing structure; reflects sound with a brighter intensity.

_Enhancement , increased through-transmission: sound that travels through an anechoic (fluid filled) substance and is not attenuated; there is increased brightness directly beyond the posterior border of the anechoic structure as compared with the surrounding are.

_Fluid-fluid level: interface between two fluids with different acoustic characteristics; this level will change with patient position.

_Heterogeneous: not uniform in texture or composition.

_Homogeneous: Completely uniform in texture or composition.

_Hypoechoic: Low-level echoes within a structure.

_Infiltrating: Usually refers to a diffuse disease process or metastatic disease.

_Irregular borders: Borders are not well defined, are ill defined, or are not present.

_Isoechoic: Very close to the normal parenchyma echogenicity pattern.

_Loculated mass: Well defined borders with internal echoes; the septa may be thin (likely benign) or thick (likely malignant).

_Shadowing: The sound beam is attenuated by a solid or calcified object; this reflection or absorption may be partial or complete; air bubbles in the duodenum may cause a "dirty shadow" to occur secondary to reflection; a stone would cause a sharp shadow posterior to its border.

Foundations of Sonography

Lets start off with explaining the word "Ultrasound". Within the fields of acoustics, ultrasound is defined as sound frequencies beyond the upper limits of human hearing, that is, greater than 20 kilohertz. Many theories have been told about sound.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Sonography, Ultrasound, and Ultrasonography have been used to describe an imaging technique used to visualize soft tissue structures of the body by recording the returning reflection of ultrasonic waves directed into the body. The creators of the ultrasound machine where a group of investigators who each discovered different techniques and brought those ideas together to create one, one in which created the Ultrasound Machine.

The role of the Sonographer
To produce the highest quality sonographic image for interpretation, the sonographer must posses an in-depth understanding of anatomy and pathophysiology and be able to evaluate the patient's problems.

This is the beginning of chapter one, next blog will be about medical terms.

Ultrasound

I am new to this blogging thing. I've decided to start a blog to get better in my writing skills so I've decided to choose a topic for the very first blog and I wanted it to be based on Ultrasound because it is what I am studying. I want to be an Ultrasound technician. I've finally finished all of my laboratory hours and I am excited and nervous at the same time about the exams that I need to start studying for. Anyways I wanted to start talking about Ultrasound and how it works but first I need to see what I'll start talking about. >_<