Ultrasound Module

Background Information

The term ultrasonic is used to describe many types of surgical procedures and instruments. However, this term can be misleading if it is interpreted to mean ultrasound.

When an object vibrates, it generates sound. The number of vibrations that occur each second is said to be the vibration's frequency. When an object vibrates very quickly (more than 20,000 times each second), the frequency of these vibrations is said to be ultrasonic. Sound generated at ultrasonic frequencies is called ultrasound and is above the range of sounds we can hear.

In surgical procedures that use ultrasound waves, the sound waves travel from an outside source into the patient's body. In these procedures, the sound waves are the surgical tool. Other techniques use tools that vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. These tools must be in direct contact with the surgical site because their mechanical vibrations are what affect the tissue.

Explore It! activities in this module teach basic principles of sound. Be the Surgeon and Real Stories / Real Surgery activities in this module feature surgical procedures that capitalize on the energy of either ultrasound or ultrasonic mechanical vibration.

This module presents: