• April 12, 2022
• By admin

Pocket-sized ultrasound is a futuristic solution to clinical imaging for diagnosis

Pocket-sized Ultrasound an invaluable tool:

Ultrasound imaging has played a major role in diagnosis and therapeutics. Ultrasound comprises the sound waves with frequencies that are higher than the range of human hearing i.e. >20,000Hz. Ultrasound produces ultrasonic images also known as sonograms that are used for diagnostic purposes. Using ultrasonography techniques images of the internal body components such as tendons, muscles, blood vessels, or internal organs. These images are created by sending ultrasound pulses to the tissues with a probe. These pulses produce echo off tissue and the reflecting patterns return to the probe that records them to create an image. It has a wide range of applications in angiology, cardiology, gastroenterology/ colorectal surgery, gynaecology, etc. The images are commonly obtained in B-mode (Brightness mode) in which the transducers scan a plane through the body and record results in the form of two-dimensional images. The Doppler effect is used in ultrasound technology to visualize and measure blood flow. The traditional ultrasound machines are large and need a specific location for diagnosis. Ultrasound is a safer imaging technique as compared to radiation methods.

History of ultrasound: From mechanical probes to Pocket-sized ultrasonic:

In 1794, Lazzaro Spallanzani discovered that echolocation is the basis of sonar technology and ultrasound physics. This discovery provides a base for the breakthrough of ultrasound technology. In 1942 Karl Dussik used ultrasound to detect brain tumours. The first diagnostic ultrasound was used in 1960 that produced B-mode images that we are still familiar with. The first diagnosis of gall stones using ultrasound was reported in 1962. A Color Doppler that visualises blood flow was first developed in 1983. The invention of bed-side ultrasonography was a breakthrough in the clinical field. It allowed the diagnosis of several abdominal diseases at ease. The major abdominal organs and their anatomy can be imaged using ultrasonography. The ultrasound is also used in the treatment of chronic pain. Physiotherapists recommend ultrasound for pain relief and tissue healing in patients with osteoarthritis, Myofascial pain syndrome, sprains and strains, etc. The successful examinations based on ultrasound images demanded the need for portable ultrasound devices.

Handheld Ultrasound devices for rapid diagnosis:

Ultrasound technology is increasingly being used in imaging the abdominal anatomy, tendons, muscles, ligaments and bones. The invention of a portable and affordable has made the diagnosis easy. The US-based Butterfly has devised an ultrasound that can be plugged into a phone for obtaining instant images. This handheld device replaces piezo crystals with a silicon chip that can emit all three types of ultrasound waves required to capture frequencies and images of different parts of the body. The portable ultrasound devices work in analogy with digital cameras and can give real-time images. The portable devices aid the clinical decision making for home care patients. Patients with chronic disease, ageing patients etc require home care services for the treatment which can be done by using these portable, pocket-sized ultrasounds. For the assessment of body fluids for bedridden or patients in home care, these portable devices are used. The physicians can measure the residual bladder volume to determine the amount or dosage of an alpha-blocker drug or anticholinergic drug to be administered to the patient. There are several reports of a comparative study of pocket-sized ultrasound devices (PUM) and high specification ultrasound machines. The reports have shown that pocket-sized ultrasounds have shown similar efficiency as high specification ultrasound machines and were mostly used in gynaecology and obstetrics. The use of PUM is also suggested in deciding the treatment of patients in the echocardiographic examination. It has shown

better efficiency in designing quick treatments. Clinical decision making is an important step in any treatment. The portable ultrasounds provide immediate images and can be examined for diagnosis. In the gynaecology section, ultrasound plays an important role as it is the frequently used technology to examine the health of a foetus. The pocket-sized ultrasounds enable the regular examination of the foetus at home and minimize the need to travel to the healthcare facilities. The hand-held ultrasound devices are now also termed next-generation stethoscopes because of their ease of use. These devices are surely the future of imaging technology and will be a boon to medical facilities for rapid decision making that can save lives.

References:

1. Kobayashi, T., & Kato, H. (2016). Development of Pocket-sized Hand-held Ultrasound Devices Enhancing People’s Abilities and Need for Education on Them. Journal of General and Family Medicine , 17 (4), 276–288. https://doi.org/10.14442/jgfm.17.4_276

2. The History of Ultrasounds: From Bats to Babies . (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://conquestimaging.com/ultrasound-blog/history-ultrasounds-bats-babies/

3. Tse, K. H., Luk, W. H., & Lam, M. C. (2014). Pocket-sized versus standard ultrasound machines in abdominal imaging. Singapore Medical Journal , 55 (6), 325– 333. https://doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2014078

4. Woo, D. J. (n.d.). A short History of the development of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology 63.