Ultrasound is a safe painless method of internal examination by using sound waves to produce pictures of tissue and other structures.
High frequency soundwaves are transmitted through a hand held transducer which is gently passed over the skin around the area to be investigated. The soundwaves pass through the skin and reflect back to the transducer. The reflections, or echoes, are then converted into images which highly trained sonographers, echo technicians or consultants are able to interpret.
By using a process known as Doppler, it is possible to see and capture moving images such as blood flowing through arteries or to examine the function of heart valves. All images are captured in realtime enabling the sonographer to continually adjust the view in order to achieve the optimum image. Images are then stored electronically or can be printed if required.