Ultrasound Technology: Advantages and Disadvantages

This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound technology.

Ultrasound Introduction:

Humans can typically hear frequencies ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Ultrasound refers to sound frequencies above this audible range, specifically above 20 kHz. Ultrasound devices commonly operate between 20 kHz and several GHz, as illustrated in the frequency chart below.

Ultrasound has many applications, including:

• Detecting and measuring the distance to an object.
• Performing sonography to create images of a fetus in a mother’s womb.
• Detecting invisible flaws in metal objects (non-destructive testing).
• Cleaning, mixing, and accelerating chemical processes.
• Detecting motion of a person approaching a door using an ultrasonic sensor.
• Measuring the velocity of flowing liquids with an ultrasonic flowmeter.

Advantages of Ultrasound

Here are the advantages of using ultrasound:

• The high frequency of ultrasound is above the audible range for humans, so it doesn’t cause any disturbance.
• Ultrasound finds applications in fluid mechanics, communication, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), SONAR, real-time tracking of objects, imaging (sonography), medicine, cleaning, welding, and more.
• Ultrasound sensors are good at detecting objects that are more than 1 meter away.
• Ultrasound frequencies aren’t affected by direct sunlight, fluorescent lights, or other light sources that can interfere with infrared devices.
• Ultrasound devices can accurately place objects within 5 mm of the desired distance.
• Ultrasound devices can measure the distance to liquids and transparent objects, which isn’t possible with infrared waves.
• Offers non-invasive, painless treatment.
• Less expensive than some other imaging methods.
• It does not use any ionizing radiation during operation.
• Provides clear images of soft tissues that don’t show up well in X-ray images.
• A preferred method for diagnosing complications in unborn babies.

Disadvantages of Ultrasound

Here are the limitations of ultrasound:

• It doesn’t penetrate bone or air very well. It also has limited penetration in patients with obesity. These are disadvantages mainly related to imaging applications.
• The quality of the results and the effectiveness of the equipment depend on the skills of the operator.
• MRI scans can take a long time and are relatively expensive.
• Images can be difficult to interpret and require experienced operators or radiologists.
• The image resolution is lower compared to CT and MRI scans.
• Air or bowel gas can prevent visualization of structures.