It is the type of ultrasound technique which is based on the famous Doppler Effect. The Doppler Effect measures the change in the frequency of the approaching particle to calculate the relative motion of that particular object. This same principle is used in a Doppler ultrasound device used by medicine practitioners to determine the velocity and direction of movement of a cell of a body. It can also be used to hear the heartbeat of the fetus inside the mother’s womb.
Blood flow analysis
The red blood cells flow in the blood veins and arteries in the body and this Doppler ultrasound transducer can be attached to the body part where the movement of the blood has to be analyzed. When the waves hit the incoming red blood cells (RBC) in the veins, these waves bounce back and are captured by the CPU of the device.
When this process continues at different positions of the ever moving RBC’s, the CPU receives the waves at different times and so then calculates the velocity of the blood cells in that part of the body. If the velocity is very less than the normal blood flowing velocity, it might imply a blocked vein or some kind of clotting. Hence, this technique can be used to prevent heart attacks and blood clots which are very fatal if not diagnosed at an early stage.
Types of Doppler ultrasound
Doppler ultrasounds are mainly of the following types:
· Color ultrasound: Color codes are used to determine the flow of the blood. Blood is assigned colors each of which tells about the direction of flow of the blood stream.
· Power ultrasound: The change in frequency of wave is not picked up here. Instead the power of these wave signals is picked up and a graph of the same is plotted to learn about the blood flow.
· Pulse ultrasound: This technique shows the RBC in different shades of grey and so one can study the number of RBC in a sample of blood from a particular organ very easily.
How it is performed
Doppler ultrasound is performed by a certified ultrasound technician in the presence of a doctor, usually a radiologist. The technician helps the patient lie down on the bench. A type of gel is applied first where the transducer will be placed. The technician then places the transducer on the part of the patient’s body which has to be analyzed.
After receiving the images/ blood flow pattern, the technician saves the data in a hard disk and also makes copies of the same through a printer for them to be sent to a doctor for further analysis. The test can take anything between 30 to 60 minutes to provide an appropriate image. Also, if during the test, the patient is feeling very uncomfortable, the technician provides some kind of sedatives to make the patient to fall asleep.
Blood flow analysis
The red blood cells flow in the blood veins and arteries in the body and this Doppler ultrasound transducer can be attached to the body part where the movement of the blood has to be analyzed. When the waves hit the incoming red blood cells (RBC) in the veins, these waves bounce back and are captured by the CPU of the device.
When this process continues at different positions of the ever moving RBC’s, the CPU receives the waves at different times and so then calculates the velocity of the blood cells in that part of the body. If the velocity is very less than the normal blood flowing velocity, it might imply a blocked vein or some kind of clotting. Hence, this technique can be used to prevent heart attacks and blood clots which are very fatal if not diagnosed at an early stage.
Types of Doppler ultrasound
Doppler ultrasounds are mainly of the following types:
· Color ultrasound: Color codes are used to determine the flow of the blood. Blood is assigned colors each of which tells about the direction of flow of the blood stream.
· Power ultrasound: The change in frequency of wave is not picked up here. Instead the power of these wave signals is picked up and a graph of the same is plotted to learn about the blood flow.
· Pulse ultrasound: This technique shows the RBC in different shades of grey and so one can study the number of RBC in a sample of blood from a particular organ very easily.
How it is performed
Doppler ultrasound is performed by a certified ultrasound technician in the presence of a doctor, usually a radiologist. The technician helps the patient lie down on the bench. A type of gel is applied first where the transducer will be placed. The technician then places the transducer on the part of the patient’s body which has to be analyzed.
After receiving the images/ blood flow pattern, the technician saves the data in a hard disk and also makes copies of the same through a printer for them to be sent to a doctor for further analysis. The test can take anything between 30 to 60 minutes to provide an appropriate image. Also, if during the test, the patient is feeling very uncomfortable, the technician provides some kind of sedatives to make the patient to fall asleep.