Diagnostic imaging embraces several procedures that aid in diagnosing ailments. Besides the familiar x-ray, another common diagnostic imaging method is magnetic resonance imaging, which uses giant magnets that create radio waves, rather than radiation, to form an image. Not all imaging technologies use ionizing radiation or radio waves, however. Sonography, or ultrasonography, is the use of sound waves to generate an image for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions. Sonography usually is associated with obstetrics and the use of ultrasound imaging during pregnancy, but this technology has many other applications in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
Diagnostic medical sonographers, also known as ultrasonographers, use special equipment to direct nonionizing, high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient's body. Sonographers operate the equipment, which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician.
Sonographers begin by explaining the procedure to the patient and recording any medical history that may be relevant to the condition being viewed. They then select appropriate equipment settings and direct the patient to move into positions that will provide the best view. To perform the exam, sonographers use a transducer, which transmits sound waves in a cone- or rectangle-shaped beam. Although techniques vary with the area being examined, sonographers usually spread a special gel on the skin to aid the transmission of sound waves.
Viewing the screen during the scan, sonographers look for subtle visual cues that contrast healthy areas with unhealthy ones. They decide whether the images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes and select which ones to show to the physician. Sonographers take measurements, calculate values, and analyze the results in preliminary reports for the physicians.
Diagnostic medical sonographers may specialize in obstetric and gynecologic sonography (the female reproductive system), abdominal sonography (the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas), neurosonography (the brain), or breast sonography. In addition, sonographers may specialize in vascular technology or echocardiography. (Vascular technologists and echocardiographers are covered in the statement on cardiovascular technologists and technicians.)
Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers specialize in the study of the female reproductive system. Included in the discipline is one of the more well-known uses of sonography: examining the fetus of a pregnant woman to track the baby's growth and health.
Abdominal sonographers inspect a patient's abdominal cavity to help diagnose and treat conditions primarily involving the gallbladder, bile ducts, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and spleen. Abdominal sonographers also are able to scan parts of the chest, although studies of the heart using sonography usually are done by echocardiographers.
Neurosonographers focus on the nervous system, including the brain. In neonatal care, neurosonographers study and diagnose neurological and nervous system disorders in premature infants. They also may scan blood vessels to check for abnormalities indicating a stroke in infants diagnosed with sickle-cell anemia. Like other sonographers, neurosonographers operate transducers to perform the sonogram, but use frequencies and beam shapes different from those used by obstetric and abdominal sonographers.
Breast sonographers use sonography to study the disease in breasts. Sonography aids mammography in the detection of breast cancer. Breast sonography can also track tumors, blood supply conditions, and assist in the accurate biopsy of breast tissue. Breast sonographers use high-frequency transducers, made exclusively to study breast tissue.
In addition to working directly with patients, diagnostic medical sonographers keep patient records and adjust and maintain equipment. They also may prepare work schedules, evaluate equipment purchases, or manage a sonography or diagnostic imaging department.
Source: http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/proft92.shtml#nat
ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGIST (medical ser.) alternate title: diagnostic
medical sonographer. Above taken from Answers.com Viper1
The folks who do ultrasounds are generally called ultrasound technicians.
Ultrasound technicians use diagnostic imaging to help a physician diagnose ailments or monitor the development of a fetus.
Ultrasound technicians use diagnostic imaging to help a physician diagnose ailments or monitor the development of a fetus.
The Ultrasound technicians are also called as ultrasonographers or diagnostic medical sonographers. In order to get the job of ultrasound technician, you must successfully complete an ultrasound technician course from a recognized institution or hospital. You must also get proper training and experience in this field. This article provides an overview of Ultrasound technician job description, and the responsibilities & duties of ultrasound technicians. Read more at "http://theultrasoundtechnician.com/ultrasound-technician-work-and-job-description/"
The Ultrasound technicians are also called as ultrasonographers or diagnostic medical sonographers. In order to get the job of ultrasound technician, you must successfully complete an ultrasound technician course from a recognized institution or hospital. You must also get proper training and experience in this field. This article provides an overview of Ultrasound technician job description, and the responsibilities & duties of ultrasound technicians. Read more at "http://theultrasoundtechnician.com/ultrasound-technician-work-and-job-description/"
You can go too a Arizona collage for ultrasound technician. Ultrasound technicians know first-hand the satisfaction of providing vital support in diagnosing a patient's medical condition.
An ultrasound technician uses an ultrasound machine to product images of tissues and organs. An ultrasound machine includes transducer probe, a central processing unit, a monitor, a keyboard with control knobs, disk storage devices and a printer.
NAVTA
Yes, ultrasound technicians should have at least a two year/associates degree. Many healthcare institutions also require certification from the ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers) www.ultrasoundtechnicianschools.org is a good resource for information on ultrasound technicians/sonographers and offers a search for programs offered in your area as well as several online opportunities.
Ultrasound technicians use medical equipment that send high-frequency sound waves through a patients body to create images, pictures and videotapes.
Yes there are school for ultrasound technicians in the Houston area. It is a quickly growing field of stusy. For a list of schools and information visit http://www.ehow.com/list_6108533_list-ultrasound-tech-schools-houston.html.
An ultrasound technician, or diagnostic medical sonographer, is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis.