Ultrasound Transducer
To utilize the full potential of your ultrasound system, you need the right accessories.
Therefore, the correct ultrasound transducer types are the key to the performance of your ultrasound.
In this blog post, we will explain the different ultrasound transducer types and determine the types of examinations you can use them for.
In the end, we will offer some good points you should keep in mind when you are purchasing transducers.
But first of all
– What is an ultrasound transducer and what does it do?
An ultrasound transducer, also called a probe, is a device that produces sound waves that bounce off body tissues and make echoes.
The transducer also receives the echoes and sends them to a computer that uses them to create an image called sonogram.
Moreover, the essential element of each ultrasound transducer is a piezoelectric crystal.
It serves to generate as well as receive ultrasound waves. Sadly, the medical imaging industry was using the same piezoelectric material for over 40 years.
- crystal/ceramic element with piezoelectric properties
- usually lead zirconate titanate (PbZT) 3
- may consist of a single element or be a broadband transducer with multiple elements
- piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is useful in those high frequency, high bandwidth transducer that needs focusing to a certain region 4. PVDF also has low acoustic impedance similar to water, thus is useful in making ultrasound pulses with good temporal resolution 5.
- element thickness is determined by what resonance frequency is desired
- a thicker element produces a lower frequency oscillation while a thinner element produces a higher frequency oscillation 3
