Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation

These flashcards cover key concepts and components related to ultrasound physics and instrumentation as discussed in the lecture.

What is the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)?

The comparison of meaningful information (Signal) in an image compared to the amount of contamination (Noise).

What does a high amplitude signal indicate?

A stronger signal compared to the noise.

What are the sources of noise in ultrasound imaging?

Electronic noise, clutter, haze, and electrical interference.

How can SNR be improved?

Through image persistence, frame averaging techniques, and spatial compounding.

What are the core functions of an ultrasound system?

Transmit beams, receive beams, process returned data, perform measurements, store processed data, and display processed data.

What is the role of the Master Synchronizer in an ultrasound system?

It coordinates all components of the ultrasound system and controls echo timing.

What is the function of the Transmitter in ultrasound?

It produces a virtually infinite number of electrical waveforms to drive the transducers.

What does Time Gain Compensation (TGC) do?

Compensates for attenuation due to depth in ultrasound imaging.

What is the impact of compression on dynamic range?

Compression reduces dynamic range without errors, keeping the largest and smallest signals consistent.

What happens during demodulation in ultrasound?

Electrical signals are converted into a suitable form for display, involving rectification and smoothing.

What is the purpose of digital to analog converters in ultrasound?

To convert digital signals back to analog so they can be displayed on a monitor.

What factors affect transmit power distribution in ultrasound?

Transducer frequency, imaging modality, image size, imaging depth, and focus location.