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Ultrasound scan

Diagnostic sonography (ultrasonography) is an ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging technique used to visualize subcutaneous body structures including tendons, muscles, joints, vessels and internal organs for possible pathology or lesions. Obstetric sonography is commonly used during pregnancy and is widely recognized by the public. There is a plethora of diagnostic and therapeutic applications practiced in medicine.

How does ultrasound work?

Ultrasound travels freely through fluid and soft tissues but is reflected back (it bounces back as 'echoes') when it hits a more solid (dense) surface. For example, the ultrasound will travel freely though blood in a heart chamber, but when it hits a solid valve, a lot of the ultrasound echoes back. Another example: when ultrasound travels though bile in a gallbladder it will echo back strongly if it hits a solid gallstone.

So, as ultrasound 'hits' different structures in the body of different density, it sends back echoes of varying strength.

What is an ultrasound scan?

You lie on a couch and an operator places a probe on your skin over the part of your body to be examined. The probe it is a bit like a very thick blunt pen. Lubricating jelly is put on your skin so the probe makes good contact with your body. The probe is connected by a wire to the ultrasound machine and monitor. Pulses of ultrasound are sent from the probe through the skin into your body. The ultrasound waves then echo ('bounce back') from the various structures in the body.

The echoes are detected by the probe and are sent down the wire to the ultrasound machine. They are displayed as a picture on the monitor. The picture is constantly updated so the scan can show movement as well as structure. For example, the valves of a heart opening and closing during a scan of the heart. The operator moves the probe around over the skin surface to get views from different angles.

The scan is painless and takes about 15-45 minutes, depending on which parts of the body are being examined. A record of the results of the test can be made as still pictures or as a video recording.

An ultrasound scan is composed of four main elements:

• The probe linked to the scan by a wire. It emits ultrasound and gets back its echo.
• The video screen on which you can see the images right on the scan.
• The computer system.
• The command keyboard of the ultrasound scan, composed of different functions and applications..

What should I do to prepare for the test?

Usually there is no special preparation needed. Continue to take your usual medication. You should eat and drink normally before and after the test unless otherwise instructed. For example:

• If certain parts of the abdomen are being examined, you may be asked to eat a low fibre diet for a day or so before the test (to minimise 'gas' in your gut).
• You may be asked not to eat for several hours before a scan of the abdomen.
• For a scan of the lower bowel you may be given an enema to clear the bowel.
• To scan the bladder or pelvis you may need to have a full bladder.

You will be told what you need to do before any particular scan.

Are there any side-effects or complications from ultrasound?

Ultrasound scans are painless and safe. Unlike x-rays and other imaging tests, ultrasound does not use radiation. It has has not been found to cause any problems or complications.

To summarize...

Ultrasound scans are highly sofisticated equipments allowing a rapid and safe test of a lots of organs.
Most of the time the purchase of pre-owned ultrasound scan is done by doctors or veterinaries.
A veterinary ultrasound scan is a used ultrasound scan, aslo called reconditioned scan.
To buy a second hand ultrasound scan, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Hexagone-Medicale sales pre-owned ultrasound scan reconditioned for radiology, cardiology, gynécolologie, angiology and to veterinaries. Hexagone Medicale sales video endoscopy and optic fiber equipments of different brands: olympus, fujinon, pentax, storz... Hexagone Medicale sales medical materials for any need. Hexagone Medicale sales probes for ultrasound scans of any brand: toshiba, siemens, hitachi, medison, atl, philips, vingmed, ge, aloka, accuson, kretz, esaote... Hexagone Medicale sales parts for used ultrasound scan.