General Approach to Scanning and Knobology

Question 1

Sagittal/Longitudinal

Answer 1

Marker points cranially

Question 2

Transverse

Answer 2

Marker points toward the patient’s right side

Question 3

Higher Frequency

Answer 3

Greater detail, less penetration

Question 4

Lower Frequency

Answer 4

Less detail, greater penetration

Question 5

Frequency for Small Dogs and Cats

Answer 5

7.5 to 10 MHz

Question 6

Frequency for Medium/Large Dogs

Answer 6

5 to 7.5 MHz

Question 7

Depth

Answer 7

AKA Field of View. Shown as numbers on the side of the screen. Set just below the area of interest to “magnify” the structure of interest by excluding deeper tissues.

Question 8

When adjusting Depth…

Answer 8

You may also need to adjust TCG and Focus

Question 9

Gain Adjustment

Answer 9

Overall gain can be auto-adjusted to what system deems optimal or manually by depth using the TCG(Fine Gain) sliders.

Question 10

Ideal Gain

Answer 10

Uniform amplification of all returning echos for a visually pleasing gray scale throughout the near and far fields.

Question 11

TGC

Answer 11

Time Gain Compensation. Allows echo display of even brightness regardless of depth

Question 12

Dynamic Range

Answer 12

How many shades of gray are on the image.

Question 13

Broad/Wide Dynamic Range

Answer 13

More shade of gray and smoother images

Question 14

Small/Narrow Dynamic Range

Answer 14

Fewer shades of gray and higher contrast

Question 15

Auto Optimization

Answer 15

Feature attempts to automatically optimize gain and image contrast by analyzing to provide optimized image

Question 16

Focal Point(s)

Answer 16

Adjusts the point of focus on the image to improve resolution at the set area of interest by narrowing the sound beam at this point. Should be adjusted with each area of interest.

Question 17

Focal Point Cardiac

Answer 17

Typically one focal Point.

Question 18

Focal Point Abdomen

Answer 18

Can use two focal points

Question 19

Increased Focal Points

Answer 19

Slows the frame rate and can create a jerky image

Question 20

Tissue Harmonic Imaging(THI)

Answer 20

Machine only listens for a particular harmonic to reduce “clutter/noise”, decrease artifacts, and increase spatial resolution.

Question 21

Harmonic Frequencies

Answer 21

Integral multiples of the frequencies within an ultrasound pulse. Ex. Transmit at 4MHz is harmonic at 8 MHz

Question 22

Spatial Compounding

Answer 22

Combines multiple beams at different angles/directions to form a single image. This reduces angle-dependent artifacts like edge shadowing and acoustic shadowing, and also reduces speckle noise and increases contrast.

Question 23

Disadvantages of Spatial Compounding

Answer 23

Decreases frame rate because beams sent and received from multiple directions. Possible slight loss in resolution. Reduced acoustic enhancement and shadowing.

Question 24

Annotation Tools

Answer 24

Apply text to images.

Question 25

Color Doppler

Answer 25

Easy documentation of vasculature, but does not distinguish arterial from venous, color maps flow towards and away from the transducer. Blue= Away, Red = Towards

Question 26

Freeze Image

Answer 26

Always freeze images before archiving to reduce motion effects.

Question 27

Minimum Patient Information Entry

Answer 27

Name, Record number if available, exam date

Question 28

Ergonomics

Answer 28

Proper patient positioning and machine in relation to sonographer.

Question 29

Patient Preparation

Answer 29

Fast, urinary bladder distention, shave hair and use alcohol and coupling gel, sedation vs no sedation.