Ultrasound Physics I

Catalog description

This course introduces the student to basic physics principles and instrumentation used in diagnostic ultrasound. The course describes basic ultrasound physics principles, formulae and calculations as well as describes ultrasound itself. Key areas to be covered include: the properties of sound waves, principles of reflection, transmission, scattering and refraction; principles of attenuation and components of sound energy loss; transducer construction and function; sound beam "anatomy"; spatial resolution; transducer array technology; sound beam steering, and focusing. The course goal is to help the student understand the process by which an image is created, and ultimately identify ways to produce an optimal echo image. prereq: 3403, 3503, 4460, 4303