ULTRASOUND

 Sound vibrations and waves above the highest frequencies of human hearing are
called ultrasound. Sound waves with frequencies above 20 kHz are described as
ultrasonic.

 Some animals, such as dogs, cats, bats, mice and dolphins can hear ultrasound and use
such sounds to navigate and communicate.


Uses of Ultrasound

1. Ultrasound in Hospitals – In hospitals, ultrasounds are used to obtain images of

internal parts of the body. Ultrasound pulses at very high frequencies of several MHz
are sent into the body by a transmitter placed in good contact with the skin.
Reflections or echoes are received from any surfaces within the body. With the aid of
computers, a 3-D image of an internal part of the body can be built up and watched in
real life. Examples of applications include:

i. Sonography; scanning of a baby while in the mother’s womb to check for

normal growth, heartbeat, to find out how old the baby is, to determine its sex
(male or female), to determine the location of its placenta and the location of
the baby.

ii. Observations of the pumping action of the heart.

iii. Scanning for tumors in soft tissue organs.

2. Ultrasound at sea -Ultrasounds are used to measure the depth of sea or of fish
below through the principles of SONAR. Ultrasound is usually sent out from the
transmitter in pulses. When these pulses are reflected by an object, after a short time,
an echo is detected. This is called pulse-echo technique. The time interval between the
pulse of ultrasound being sent out and received back can be used to measure the
distance to the reflecting service provided the speed of ultrasound in the medium is
unknown.

3. Ultrasonic Welding - A high frequency of 15-40 kHz and low amplitude

vibrations are used to weld plastic together. The waves make heat energy between the
objects that are joined.
4. Ultrasonic Cleaning – Ultrasonic cleaners are used at frequencies from 20-40
kHz by jewellers and doctors to clean things like watches, jewellery, lenses, surgical
instruments and dental instruments.

- Dental hygienists also use ultrasound to clean teeth.

5. Ultrasonic Disintegration – Ultrasonic waves are used to disintegrate (kill)
bacteria and biological cells. High power ultrasound produces cavitation that
facilitates particle disintegration or reactions.

6. Ultrasonic Humidifier – Ultrasonic waves are used to humidify the air by using
high frequencies to produce water mist that is expelled in the air to add moisture to
the room. It works by vibrating a metal plate at ultrasonic frequencies to nebulize the
water. The ultrasonic waves nebulize not only the water but also the material in the
water such as viruses, minerals, fungi and other impurities.
7. Ultrasonic Weapons – Ultrasonic waves are used by various types of weapons to
incapacitate, injure or kill an opponent.

8. Therapeutic Ultrasound – Ultrasound therapy is a treatment modality where

ultrasounds are used for therapeutic benefits. Therapeutic ultrasound frequency used
is 0.7 – 3.3 MHz’s.
9. Ultrasonic as means of communication – A diver has a transducer attached
to his mask. This transducer converts the diver’s voice into an ultrasound signal. The
other fellow diver has an ultrasound receiver, which accepts the ultrasound signal and
then converts it to a sound so that the diver can hear. The same system can be used
for communication between the diver and a surface ship.

10. Ultrasound in FDA (Food, Drug and Device Industries) – The

application of ultrasound technology is increasing in the food, drug and device
industries. Ultrasonic techniques are currently being used for applications from a
range of bonding and sealing thermoplastics packaging to medical diagnosis.