Artifacts in ultrasound are more of a nuisance and can contribute to misleading diagnostic information. Artifacts can be attributed to a hardware problem such as holding the transducer incorrectly or be related to the imaging technique and software such as B-Mode or Doppler. However, scientists at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) are developing an ultrasound technology that uses "Twinkling Artifact" to detect and push through kidney stones.

According to researchers Dr. Lawrence Crum and Co-Investigator Dr. Michael Bailey, "We have a diagnostic ultrasound machine that has enhanced capability to image kidney stones in the body," said Bailey, a principal engineer at APL-UW. "We also have a capability that uses ultrasound waves coming right through the skin to push small stones or pieces of stones toward the exit of the kidney, so they will naturally pass, avoiding surgery."

Ten percent of the population suffers from painful kidney stones and the current method for removal is water consumption and time for the stone to pass. Often surgery is required, but in space neither option is optimal. Through their research they hope to mitigate the chance that an astronaut will encounter this painful condition. Utilizing B-Mode to identify the location of the anatomy and stone and Doppler technology to create the picture of a "colored stone", Crum and Bailey expect to use this twinkling image to push the stone through the kidney. They say "Once the stones are located, the ultrasound machine operator can select a stone to target, and then, with a simple push of a button, send a focused ultrasound wave, about half a millimeter in width, to move the stone toward the kidney's exit. The stone moves about one centimeter per second. In addition to being an option to surgery, the technology can be used to "clean up" after surgery."

We'll definitely be interested in seeing how this technology is used here on earth to treat patients with kidney stones. For immediate needs on purchasing ultrasound equipment, ultrasound service contracts or training, visit our site www.umiultrasoundservice.com

Adding ultrasound to your practice not only helps improve patient services by allowing you to keep control over the care your patients receive, but it also creates an additional source of revenue. For a private physician considering an ultrasound equipment purchase selecting the right system can be a challenge. Hospitals typically have funds allocated for capital equipment purchases or have group buying power through contracts established with pre-negotiated and discounted prices. What about the private physician making a solo or partner-driven ultrasound purchase? During a time when there is a question of budget vs. quality, how do you choose? Do you pay new system prices, or, take a risk and purchase a used ultrasound system?

Let's look at new ultrasound equipment first. Just like buying a new car, buying new ultrasound equipment at first looks lucrative: nobody has used it, the probes and elements are all functioning, and it comes with a warranty. However, just like a brand new car depreciates the minute you drive it off the lot, so does the ultrasound system. Can you imagine needing to resell or trade-in that brand new ultrasound system within a month to find that it depreciated by 20%?

Second, is the topic of used ultrasound equipment. Used ultrasound is defined as buying from a website like EBay or from an unknown reseller because what is being sold is cheap and fits into your budget. This is the ultimate scenario of Buyer Beware. When buying from an unknown entity you do not know if the equipment has the software features enabled that you need for your exams, you don't know if the ultrasound transducers have dead elements, which compromises image quality and jeopardizes care for your patients, and it doesn't come with a warranty. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Third, is the great compromise of being on a budget and having quality ultrasound equipment. How? When you purchase refurbished ultrasound equipment from a quality ultrasound reseller you can be assured that the equipment you buy has gone through an extensive OEM and ACR recommended inspection process. The ultrasound machine and attached probes are checked in, tested repeatedly for functioning boards, heating capacity, etc. In addition, all repairs, if needed, are made to manufacturer specifications. The ultrasound system then leaves the facility with a warranty in place to provide peace of mind to the customer.

To learn more about the inspection guideline requirement enforced by the American College of Radiology visit our blog Ultrasound Equipment Maintenance is Mandatory for Accreditation

Click below to download the FREE "Guide to Buying Refurbished Ultrasound Equipment" or to learn more about the refurbished process at United Medical Instruments. 

A team of Biomedical Engineers at North Carolina State University recently conducted a study to determine why people naturally transition into a jog once they reach a certain walking speed. Combining an ultrasound system with a probe attached to the participants’ calf muscle, high-speed motion capture techniques, and a force measuring treadmill, scientists discovered that people begin to run once they have achieved a walking speed of 2 meters per second.

They learned that once someone reaches that speed, the calf muscle changes its length slowly resulting in more power being exerted even though it’s not working as hard. Biomedical Engineers Dr. Gregory Sawicki and Dr. Dominic Farris collaborated on this first of its kind study published online this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In addition, the high-speed images revealed that the medial gastrocnemius muscle, a major calf muscle that attaches to the Achilles tendon, contributed to holding one end of the tendon while the body's energy is transferred to stretch it. Achilles – the long, elastic tendon that runs down the back of the lower leg plays a part in the movement of moving forward.

Scientist Sawicki stated “Other than Olympic race walkers, people generally find it more comfortable to run than walk when they start moving at around two metres per second – about 4.5 miles per hour. The muscle can’t catch up to the speed of the gait as you walk faster and faster. But when you shift the gait and transition from a walk to a run, that same muscle becomes almost static and doesn’t seem to change its behaviour very much as you run faster and faster.”

The research can be used to discover ways of building assistive or prosthetic devices for humans, or help conditioning professionals assist patients who have had spinal-cord injury or a stroke, Sawicki and Farris say.

Whether you are seeking accreditation from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) or from the American College of Radiology (ACR) both organizations require ultrasound equipment to be fully inspected prior to submission of documents and an ongoing preventive plan is in place to ensure quality control in the future.

The AIUM guidelines stipulate the following requirements for equipment:

1. The ultrasound equipment must meet all state and federal guidelines.
2. Studies must be conducted with real-time equipment, and transducers must be available with a frequency range that will optimize beam penetration and resolution.

Practices must meet or exceed the quality assurance guidelines specified in Routine Quality Assurance for Diagnostic Ultrasound Equipment.

• Instrumentation used for diagnostic testing must be maintained in good operating condition and undergo routine calibration at least once a year.
• All ultrasound equipment must be serviced at least annually, according to the manufacturers' specifications or, more frequently if problems arise.
• There must be routine inspection and testing for electrical safety of all existing equipment
   

According to the ACR requirements (pages 5-7 of the below linked PDF) ultrasound maintenance is a bit more detailed requiring the following procedures:

Continuous Quality Control

Routine quality control testing must occur regularly; a minimum requirement is semiannually. The same tests must be performed during each testing period so that changes can be monitored over time and effective corrective action can be taken. Testing results, corrective action, and the effects of corrective action must be documented and the documentation maintained on site. In the event of a site survey, reviewers will expect to see such documentation.

The QC program must evaluate at least the following items in gray-scale imaging mode:

• System sensitivity and/or penetration capability
• Image uniformity
• Assurance of electrical and mechanical safety and cleanliness
• Photography and other hard-copy recording
   

Often physicians or hospitals purchase ultrasound equipment with a warranty, but once it expires there is rarely a service plan in place to protect the initial investment. Consumers have options available from either the OEM or ISO (Independent Service Organization) to inspect, repair and maintain their ultrasound equipment. United Medical Instruments, Inc. offers cost-effective service plans to meet your needs and your budget. Whether you need a full protection service contract, time and materials, or assistance with your organization's accreditation process, we are here to partner with you and protect your ultrasound investment. Contact us today!