In this ever-advancing world, medical technologies are becoming more complex with each passing year. This fact is no more apparent than what we see in ultrasound technology. Since the invention of ultrasound itself, it has become easier to keep track of a patient’s condition in a more intimate manner without being too invasive. On top of that, ultrasound has improved in affordability, durability, and portability. There have also been improvements in imaging technology that makes these machines more precise in what they do.
Here are just some of the ways ultrasound technology has advanced and will continue to advance:
1. Automated breast ultrasounds
One of the biggest advancements in ultrasound technology is the introduction of automation to breast ultrasounds. This new system performs a 360-degree scan while the patient is lying comfortably on their back. Automating this procedure has brought many quality-of-life improvements, including lower chances of missing a critical finding due to human error, and an overall decrease in procedure time. Unlike non-automated systems, the patient is prone, meaning they’re more comfortable, as opposed to sitting upright for the entire procedure.
2. Point of care ultrasounds
In addition to the convenience provided by today’s ultrasound machines, their scanners and systems have greatly improved. These systems send data to smartphones via apps, which gives healthcare providers the ability to do quick scans from almost anywhere. These devices are produced by many companies nowadays, including Mindray Ultrasound, who offer a wide range of these machines at prices that easily fit within your budget. These machines have improved the way professionals take scans, even when the doctor isn’t around.
3. Cardiovascular imaging
Certain surgical procedures benefit a lot of real-time imaging in order to place devices in the body or to guide surgeons throughout their interventions. Procedures that involve the heart are an example of those that benefit from these improvements. The recent advancements in imaging have greatly enhanced how we map out and navigate the heart, improving the accuracy and success rate of the surgeons doing these very sensitive procedures.
4. Improved OB/GYN ultrasounds
Gynecological fields have greatly benefited from the improved accuracy of certain machines, with many of them being able to detect pregnancies much earlier than what was previously possible. These machines also allow healthcare professionals to provide certain treatment options much earlier for pregnancies that are deemed to be challenging. An anatomical intelligence technology that has been integrated with these machines have also helped with reducing the workflow, making things more streamlined and more efficient.
5. Enhanced visualization
Imaging technology has recently gone beyond the more traditional 2D, or even 3D methods, with certain machines producing real-time and even 4D imaging techniques. Improved resolutions have also made these machines more precise than ever. These methods allow the users to more accurately gauge out what is going on inside the body, and in real-time. This leads to faster and more accurate diagnoses with minimal chances of error.
With how ultrasound technologies have improved in the past, we can assume that there will be further advancements not just in the technologies used in them, but also the cost. This means that more advanced machines will become more accessible, allowing for better and more accurate diagnoses everywhere.
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