How Do Ultrasound Transducers Work?
Transducers A transducer is a device that converts one form of energy into another. The camera used for ultrasound imaging is a transducer. It converts voltage into vibrations and vice-versa. The vibrations are mechanical sound waves, while the voltage is electropotential energy. The transducer consists of several parts that are integral to producing the wave, transmitting it into the body and receiving echoes from body structures. Crystals Crystals are the source of transducers’ mechanical waves. Voltage is applied to a crystal, which causes it to vibrate, a characteristic called the piezoelectric effect. The amount of voltage controls the frequency of the vibration, which, in turn, produces the desired frequency of the sound wave. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is a man-made material commonly used for transducer crystals. Focus The crystal is shaped like a circular lens. The sound beam initially projects from the crystal at the same diameter as the crystal and gradually decreases to h
