Diagnostic ultrasound imaging has no known risks or long-term side effects. Discomfort to the patient is very rare if the sonogram is accurately performed by using appropriate frequencies and intensity ranges. However, the application of the ALARA principle is always recommended.
There are reports of low birth weight of babies after applying more than the recommended ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. Women who think they might be pregnant should raise this issue with the doctor before undergoing an abdominal ultrasound, to avoid any harm to the fetus in the early stages of development.
Since ultrasound is energy, sensitive tissues like the reproductive organs could possibly sustain damage if vibrated to a high degree by too intense ultrasound waves. In diagnostic ultrasonic procedures, such damage would only result from improper use of the equipment.

Possible ultrasound bioeffects:
The thermal effect is controlled by the displayed thermal index and the mechanical index indicates the risk of cavitation.
An ultrasound gel is applied to obtain better contact between the transducer and the skin. This has the consistency of thick mineral oil and is not associated with skin irritation or allergy.
Specific conditions for which ultrasound may be selected as a treatment may be attached with higher risks.

See also Ultrasound Imaging Procedures, Fetal Ultrasound and Obstetric and Gynecologic Ultrasound.

Environmental protection in ultrasound imaging involves adopting practices and technologies that minimize the environmental impact associated with the use of ultrasound equipment and disposables.

Here are some key considerations:

By focusing on energy efficiency, digitalization, waste management, equipment lifespan, and education, healthcare facilities can make significant strides towards reducing their carbon footprint and the environmental impact of ultrasound imaging practices.

See also Ultrasound System Performance, Equipment Preparation, Ultrasound Accessories and Supplies and Sonographer.

Equipment Preparation is an essential step in ensuring optimal ultrasound imaging quality and maintaining a safe and hygienic scanning environment. The following considerations should be taken into account:

By following these equipment preparation guidelines, healthcare professionals can ensure accurate and safe ultrasound examinations while promoting infection control measures and maintaining a hygienic environment for both patients and staff.
See also Environmental Protection, Portable Ultrasound Machine, Ultrasound Accessories and Supplies, and Ultrasound System Performance.

In the field of medical ultrasound imaging, the term 'probe' specifically refers to the ultrasound transducer and represent the handheld device that emits and receives ultrasound waves during an examination.
The probe encompasses various components such as the elements, backing material, electrodes, matching layer, and protective face that are responsible for both emitting and receiving the sound waves. Aperture, known also as the footprint, is the part of the probe that is in contact with the body. When the emitted sound waves encounter body tissues, they generate reflections that are received by the probe, which then generates a corresponding signal. In most cases, the probe emits ultrasound waves for only about 10% of the time and receives them for the remaining 90%.
Probes are available in different shapes and sizes to accommodate various scanning situations. The footprint is linked to the arrangement of the piezoelectric crystals and comes in different shapes and sizes e.g. linear array transducer//convex transducer. The transducer plays a huge role in image quality and is one of the most expensive parts of the ultrasound machine. Mechanical probes steer the ultrasound beam driven by a motor and are capable of producing high-quality images, but they are prone to wear and tear. Mechanical probes have been mostly replaced by electronic multi-element transducers, but mechanical 3D probes still remain for abdominal and Ob-Gyn applications.
In summary, the terms 'ultrasound transducer,' 'probe,' and 'scanhead' are often used interchangeably to refer to the same component of the ultrasound machine. Probes consist of multiple components and are available in different shapes and sizes depending on the sonographer's needs.

See also Handheld Ultrasound, Ultrasound System Performance, Omnidirectional, Probe Cleaning, and Multi-frequency Probe,

The field of medical imaging offers numerous career opportunities, and one profession is that of a sonographer. Sonographers play a critical role in healthcare by utilizing ultrasound technology to create images of the body's internal structures.

See also Handheld Ultrasound, Ultrasound Machine, Sonography, Portable Ultrasound Machine, Ultrasound Accessories and Supplies, Environmental Protection and Ultrasound Technology.