Bioeffects, New Developments, and QA Safety

These flashcards cover key concepts related to bioeffects, ultrasound measurement techniques, quality assurance, and advancements in imaging technology.

What are bioeffects in ultrasound?

Changes to biological tissues as ultrasound beams travel through tissue.

What is the thermal index used for?

To predict an increase in temperature in tissues during ultrasound imaging.

What is the difference between thermal and mechanical bioeffects?

Thermal bioeffects are related to temperature elevation in tissues, while mechanical bioeffects involve physical effects like cavitation and radiation force.

Define acoustic intensity.

power divided by beam area, measured in Watt/cm² or mWatt/cm².

What does dosimetry measure?

Dosimetry is the science of identifying and measuring the characteristics of an ultrasound beam relevant to its potential for producing biological effects.

Explain ALARA in the context of ultrasound.

'As Low As Reasonably Achievable' and refers to the principle of minimizing patient exposure to acoustic energy.

What is stable cavitation?

produces bubbles that oscillate in a stable manner and do not rupture.

Describe the difference between in vivo and in vitro studies.

In vivo studies are conducted within a living body, while in vitro studies are performed outside of the living body in an artificial environment.

What is Quality Assurance (QA) in ultrasound?

routine periodic evaluation of ultrasound systems to guarantee optimal image quality and proper operation.

What are the types of test objects used for ultrasound quality assurance?

tissue equivalent phantoms, Doppler phantoms, and beam profile/slice thickness phantoms.

What are two benefits of virtual beamforming over conventional beamforming?

allows for increased detail resolution and artifact reduction.

What is mechanical index (MI)?

measure of the risk of mechanical bioeffects like cavitation due to sound wave exposure.

What does the term 'spatial distribution' refer to in ultrasound?

how beam energy is distributed over physical space in the body.

What does the term 'temporal distribution' refer to in ultrasound?

how energy is distributed over time during ultrasound exposure.

Why is it important to evaluate the dead zone in ultrasound imaging?

Dead come sometimes images are inaccurate; understanding it is essential for proper imaging quality.