Many different contrast imaging techniques have been developed. Most are either variations, hybrids, or combinations of the following ultrasound techniques:

See also Coherent Contrast Imaging, Ultrasound Picture and Targeted Contrast Imaging.

A contrast medium (or contrast agent) is a chemical substance applied to the anatomical or functional region being imaged, to increase the differences between different tissues or between normal and abnormal tissue.
The chemical composition of the contrast media determines the specific usage. The intention in the development of ultrasound contrast media is a high contrast between blood and tissues in different organs or even tumors.

See also ultrasound contrast agents, the info sheet gives an overview and more in-depth information about different types of ultrasound contrast medium.

(CPS) Contrast pulse sequencing is a technique to exploit contrast agent properties with series of three pulses that differ in phase and amplitude. CPS allows bubble specific imaging with non-linear fundamental and higher order harmonics, low MI, and extremely high microbubble-to-tissue background ratio.

See also Ultrasound Contrast Agent Safety.

The convex shape of the probe allows scanning a larger area than with a smaller array. Convex probes produce sector images.

See also Convex Transducer.

Convex transducers are today standard on every new scanner. A convex surface allows the scanning of a larger area with a smaller array. The method of focusing and beam sweeping of a convex or curvilinear / curved array is similar to a linear array transducer, except of the shape of the probe and the sector format of the created image.
The better fit to the body, caused by the curved shape with smaller convex contact surface, and the wider field of view further from the transducer face are advantages in abdominal ultrasound.
However, also a convex array is often too large to image the heart when probing between the ribs. Caused by combining a large field of view with smallest array size, phased array transducers are the best choice in cardiac ultrasound.

See also Curved Transducer.