What Are the Steps Involved in an Ultrasound?
There are several steps involved in the straightforward procedure of an ultrasound scan. The way ultrasound scans are performed may vary slightly from practice to practice, but typically includes the following steps:
- Depending on the area being scanned, the patient may be requested to change into a gown; this makes it easier for the ultrasound technician to perform the exam.
- During an ultrasound, the healthcare provider will pass a device called a transducer/probe over an area of the body; it may also be performed inside a body opening. A thin layer of gel is applied to the skin to decrease friction as well as to improve the transmission of the ultrasound wave.
- Electrical current is converted into high-frequency sound waves via the transducer, sending the waves into the body’s tissue. These sound waves are known as ‘ultra’ as they are too high-pitched to be heard.
- Sound waves bounce off structures inside your body and back to the probe, which converts the waves into electrical signals. A computer then converts the pattern of electrical signals into real-time images or videos, which are displayed on a computer screen nearby.
