(TTE) Transthoracic echocardiography is a common type of cardiac ultrasound and is used to evaluate the size and function of the heart.

Indications:
TTE requires no sedation or special patient preparation. After the application of ECG electrodes and ultrasound couplant, the probe is maneuvered over the chest in the area adjacent to the breast bone and under the left breast, to provide the different views of the heart. Usually the images will be obtained lying relaxed on the left side. Other views can be sampled lying on the back with the knees bent, or sitting in an upright position.

See also Bicycle Stress Echocardiography and Transesophageal Echocardiography.

Ultrasound machines, with their various components and types, have revolutionized the field of medical imaging. These devices enable healthcare professionals to visualize internal structures, assess conditions, and guide interventions with real-time imaging capabilities. Today, medical ultrasound systems are complex signal processing machines. Assessing the performance of an ultrasound system requires understanding the relationships between the characteristics of the system, such as the point spread function, temporal resolution, and the quality of images. Image quality aspects include the detail resolution, contrast resolution and penetration. Systems with microbubble scanner modification are particularly suitable for contrast enhanced ultrasound.


In summary, ultrasound machines have diverse performance levels and corresponding price ranges, catering to various medical imaging needs. From low-performance systems with basic imaging capabilities to high-performance and premium systems with advanced features, ultrasound technology continues to advance healthcare imaging capabilities.
See also Ultrasound Physics, Handheld Ultrasound, Environmental Protection, Equipment Preparation.

Peripheral veins are easily tested using a 5 to 10 MHz transducer. The venous walls are smooth, thin, and compressible. Venous ultrasound imaging requires the compression of the veins in the transverse view. If compression is performed in the longitudinal view, the vein may roll away from the transducer possibly creating a false-negative examination.
The lumen of the normal vein is echo free. Increasing the gain will display low level echoes representing venous blood moving towards the heart. When performing Doppler spectral analysis or color Doppler the gate should be placed in the center of the vessel. In case of a non-obstructing or recanalized thrombosis, the Doppler gate should be placed within the remaining vessel lumen for flow detection.

See also Maximum Venous Outflow and Zero Offset.

2D ultrasound imaging is a widely used technique in medical imaging that provides two-dimensional visual representations of internal structures. A handheld device known as a probe or transducer contains piezoelectric crystals that emit and receive ultrasound waves which penetrate tissues and bounce back as echoes. The echoes are detected and converted into electrical signals. These signals are processed and displayed on a monitor, creating a real-time 2D grayscale image, with different shades of gray representing various tissue densities. The brighter areas on the image correspond to structures that reflect more ultrasound waves, while darker areas represent structures that reflect fewer waves or are attenuated by intervening tissues. The 2D-mode (or B-mode) provides cross-sectional views of the scanned area, showing a single plane or slice of the scanned area at a time.

Key Features and Uses of 2D Ultrasound:

Comparison with 3D and 4D Ultrasound:
See also Ultrasound Technology, Sonographer, Ultrasound Elastography, Obstetric and Gynecologic Ultrasound.

From Siemens Medical Systems;
We see a way to review 100% of your cardiovascular ultrasound exams and reports anywhere, anytime. The Cypress™ system is a highly miniaturized, all digital, phased array echocardiography system that provides complete studies and outstanding images - even on the most technically difficult patients.

Specifications for this system will be available soon.