Transducers by Jennifer Rivas

So what is this device?!

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 02:34:38 UTC

Also called a probe, is a device that produces sound waves that bounce off body tissues and makes echoes. The transducer also receives the echoes and sends them to a computer that uses them to create an image called sonogram.

It's giving new sonographer vibes

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 02:36:32 UTC

transducer

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 02:41:07 UTC

an example of a sonographer using a transducer!

Vector Array

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 02:51:51 UTC

The vector transducer is a combination of linear sequential and linear phased array technologies. This probe is best for abdomen, kidneys, and liver. The image on the ultrasound creates a trapezoidal shaped image. This probe has electronic focusing and focuses on improving lateral resolution.

trap trap trapezoid

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 02:53:58 UTC

This is an image made with a vector array transducer

'Cause I got a really big team and they need some really big RINGS

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 03:16:09 UTC

This type of transducer features elements arranged in circular rings with a common center. This type of probe can create a 2D image.

The inner rings of the array acquire data from shallow depths and the outer rings acquire data from deeper regions.

The image shape is fan or sector shaped.

If the crystal is damaged only a portion of the image is lost and a horizontal band of dropout across the image. This type of probe uses mechanical steering which creates the 2d image. Since it has more than one ring the annular arrays create a scan line of the image using the multiple transmit focal zones.

Oh, I thought we were talking about the store....

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 03:17:41 UTC

piece of a pie

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 03:25:37 UTC

fan shaped image during ultrasound

CuRvEd

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 19:07:23 UTC

This type of design increases the clinical usage of linear array transducers. The images created with this probe will have a blunted sector on the top of the image. The focusing in the convex array is achieved electronically. The crystals are arranged in an arch which makes the pulses travel in different directions as they radiate out. If a crystal is damaged there will be a vertical dropout in the line where the crystal is damaged.This type of transducer is one of the bigger types of all of the probes.

Blunted sector

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 19:08:14 UTC

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 19:11:09 UTC

This image was captured using a curved probe for the obgyn side of things. This baby obviously won't want to leave at 40 weeks...

Linear

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 19:24:51 UTC

One of the smallest probes that is also known as the small footprint transducer. The beam is steered and focused using an electrical technique called phasing. The image this probe produces is fan or sector shaped. The 2d image is created using electronic steering. This crystal is able to transmit multiple beams down the same scan line providing multi-focusing capabilities. If there is damage to the crystal the transducer will result in inconsistent or erratic beam steering and focusing. This transducer is highly effective for vascular imaging.

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 19:31:06 UTC

tiny but mighty!

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 19:37:16 UTC

Mechanics

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 19:42:53 UTC

This is a special transducer! This mechanical transducer contains a single, circular shaped element. The beam is steered mechanically which increases depths and the size between the scan lines. The image created is fan or sector shaped. The probe has two methods of steering which are internal focusing and external focusing. Internal focusing has the use of a curved active element. External focusing has the use of an acoustic lens. This is the only transducer that if the PZT is damaged the ENTIRE image is lost.

Liiiiiiinear

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 19:48:39 UTC

This type of transducer creates rectangular images for the ultrasound. The image is never wider than the footprint of the transducer. Each element produces a san line that makes up the image. The shaped strips of PZT material are called the "Firing groups" This probe is electronically focused and uses both phases of transmit and receive focusing. If there is damage to the crystal, the image will have a vertical drop out.

Let's square up!

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 19:50:19 UTC

uh-oh

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 19:55:35 UTC

the image is square enough to a linear sequential array!

rip to the image loss if the PZT is damaged

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 20:15:31 UTC

example of the probe

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 20:16:05 UTC

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 20:26:54 UTC

Ultrasound

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-11 20:32:32 UTC

Ultrasound is not just "taking pictures" with a device... there is so much more that goes into getting an image beginning with the type of transducer is needed to be used. Hopefully this will help you get an idea of what each transducer can produce and how they all differ from one another!

References

Works Cited

“Choosing the Right Ultrasound Transducer.” EDM Medical Solutions, us.edm-imaging.com/blogs/blog/choosing-the-right-ultrasound-transducer.

Frimmel, Nikolaus. “Ultrasound 101 - Part 1: Transducers.” 123 Sonography, 25 Jan. 2022, 123sonography.com/blog/ultrasound-101-part-1-transducers.

LBN Medical. “Ultrasound Transducer Types (Updated 2019) - LBN Medical.” LBN Medical, 13 May 2019, lbnmedical.com/ultrasound-transducer-types/.

ultrasound probes

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-20 01:27:59 UTC

traappppezoid

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-20 01:29:46 UTC

circles

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-20 01:32:29 UTC

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-20 01:34:48 UTC

small probe

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-20 01:40:04 UTC

linear

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-20 01:43:38 UTC

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-20 01:47:14 UTC

jrivas03_ — 2023-11-20 01:48:37 UTC