B-scan comined with D-scan (D=Depth) is used to avoid image inhomogeneity. Different transmitter signals for each depth are applied and prefiltered pseudoinversely according to the transfer properties of the covering tissue. Pulse compression techniques with nonlinearly frequency modulated signals are used to gain the required energy for inverse filtering.
D-scan is a modified C-scan used in nondestructive testing with the display of amplitudes. In the 2D graphical presentation, time of flight values are displayed in the top view on a test surface.

See also A-Scan, B-Scan and C-Scan.

The dead or ring down zone is the distance from the front face of the transducer to the first echo that is identifiable. The signals from this region are unsuitable. The dead zone is the result of transducer ringing and reverberations from the interface between the transducer and the scanned object. Impedance matching between the transducer and the receiver is important to avoid electrical ringing.
With an increase of the frequency, the pulse length and the depth of the dead zone decrease, if all other parameters remain constant. The acoustic power also affects the depth of the dead zone.

The divergence is an ultrasound beam characteristic of the far field. The beam divergence angle q, depends on the transducer frequency and diameter according to the following approximation:
sin q 1.22 ld
where l is the wavelength of the ultrasound in the medium of propagation and d is the diameter of the transducer element.

The duty factor is the product of the pulse duration and the pulse repetition frequency (the lapse of time the transducer is actively transmitting sound).
Most transducers are acting as the receiver 99 % of the time with a duty factor of 1.

See also Dwell Time.

From Hitachi Medical Systems America Inc.;
The EUB-2000 B/W is a compact system capable of B-mode, M-mode, and optional with grayscale Doppler (EUB-2000 B/W Dop). This unit features intuitive operation, high mobility, and exceptional image quality. When color Doppler is not required, this system is an excellent choice for general purpose scanning.