Ultrasonic imaging in diagnostic medicine

Imaging of soft tissues of the human body for medical diagnostic purposes using pulse echo ultrasound has become a major method in the field of medicine. The characteristic of tissue which has made this achievement possible is differences in bulk modulus, density, acoustic velocity, and attenuation. Some or all of these differences are responsible for the particular type of two-dimensional cross section image displayed on a monitor for physician observation. From such images and experience a body of relevant diagnostic information has evolved. A number of images of human tissues will be presented. These images were obtained from eight different commerical and experimental devices. Both real time and nonreal time images will be shown. Although the present state of ultrasonic medical diagnosis is mainly of a qualitative nature it is anticipated that a more quantitative approach will evolve along lines to be discussed.