Ultrasonics in Medicine

Abstract

Ultrasonics has been used in medicine for about a decade. Progress in the subject is reviewed and discussed, particular stress being laid on physical aspects. The physics of ultrasonic fields, and their production and measurement, are briefly described. The main part of the review gives a critical description of the use of high intensity ultrasound for making lesions, and the use of low intensity ultrasound for diagnosis. Progress in the treatment of Meniere''s and Parkinson''s diseases is described in some detail as well as the diagnostic work done on various sites of the body[long dash]brain, heart eye and others. Physical aspects of ultrasonics in diagnosis are considered, especially the attainable resolution and its dependence on absorption coefficient and depth of tissue. The question of hazard in diagnosis is also discussed. Ultrasonics has already proved to be of great value in medicine and suggestions are made about the directions of its future development.