Course Description
DMSVTD 280 | The Physics of Ultrasound Total: 8 Hours | E-Lecture: 0 Hours | E-lab: 0 Hours | On Site Lab: 8 Hours This course provides a focused exploration of acoustic physics tailored specifically for ultrasound students. It covers essential principles such as sound production, propagation, frequency, wavelength, attenuation, and the interaction of sound waves with different types of tissue. Emphasis is placed on applying these concepts to optimize image resolution and diagnostic accuracy in clinical settings. Students will also be introduced to knobology, learning to adjust system controls to improve image quality and adapt to patient-specific variables. The course includes an overview of transducer types and their appropriate clinical applications, preparing students to select and use equipment effectively. By reinforcing both technical precision and clinical relevance, this course lays the groundwork for safe, accurate, and responsive ultrasound practice. Note: Students are introduced to a portable 1 MHz therapeutic ultrasound unit (US-1000). This unit is included for educational and research comparison purposes to illustrate the difference between therapeutic and diagnostic ultrasound. It is not part of clinical training and is not used for treatment.