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Ultrasonic Probe (ultrasonic + probe)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	83%

Selected Abstracts

Newly Developed Ultrasonic Probe With Ropeway System for Transpapillary Intraductal Ultrasonography of the Bilio,Pancreatic Ductal System

DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 3 2000
Naotaka Fujita
Background: Intraductal ultrasonography of the bile/pancreatic duct using a thin-caliber ultrasonic probe (IDUS) provides excellent images of these ducts and the surrounding structures. Insertion of the device through the papilla of Vater is essential to carry out this examination. We developed a new probe with a ropeway system (XUM5RG-29R; Olympus, Tokyo) for transpapillary IDUS. Its usefulness such as ease of application and safety were prospectively evaluated. Patients and methods: During the period of October 1997 to April 1998, transpapillary IDUS using the probe was performed in 194 patients at seven medical institutions. The success rates of insertion of the probe into the bile/pancreatic duct, observation of the area of interest, and the incidence of complications were evaluated. Results: Passage of the probe through the papilla was successful without difficulty in all the patients. Successful introduction of the probe into the pancreatic duct, bile duct and both of the ducts was achieved in 98.4, 100 and 85% of the patients, respectively. Once the probe was introduced into the aimed duct, it was possible to obtain IDUS images of the area of interest in all but five patients. Mild acute pancreatitis developed in eight patients (4.1%), all of whom recovered with conservative therapy only. Conclusions: It is possible to introduce the new ultrasonic probe into the desired duct once a guide wire has been inserted. This type of ultrasonic probe is quite useful when performing transpapillary IDUS of the bile and/or pancreatic duct. [source]

Influence of track surface on the equine superficial digital flexor tendon loading in two horses at high speed trot

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009
N. Crevier-Denoix
Summary Reasons for performing study: Although track surfaces are a risk factor of tendon injuries, their effects on tendon loading at high speed are unknown. Using a noninvasive ultrasonic technique, it is now possible to evaluate the forces in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in exercise conditions. Objectives: To compare the effects of an all-weather waxed track (W) vs. a crushed sand track (S), on the SDFT loading in the trotter horse at high speed. Methods: Two trotter horses were equipped with the ultrasonic device (1 MHz ultrasonic probe, fixed on the palmar metacarpal area of the right forelimb). For each trial, data acquisition was made at 400 Hz and 10 consecutive strides were analysed. In each session, the 2 track surfaces were tested in a straight line. The speed was imposed at 10 m/s and recorded. The right forelimb was also equipped with a dynamometric horseshoe and skin markers. The horse was filmed with a high-speed camera (600 Hz); all recordings were synchronised. Statistical differences were tested using the GLM procedure (SAS; P<0.05). Results: Maximal tendon force was significantly lower on W compared with S. In addition to maximal force peaks around mid-stance, earlier peaks were observed, more pronounced on S than on W, at about 13%(horse 2) and 30% (both horses) of the stance phase. Comparison with kinematic data revealed that these early peaks were accompanied by plateaux in the fetlock angle-time chart. For high tendon forces, the tendon maximal loading rate was significantly lower on W than on S. Conclusions and potential clinical relevance: The all-weather waxed track appears to induce a lesser and more gradual SDFT loading than crushed sand. The SDFT loading pattern at high speed trot suggests proximal interphalangeal joint movements during limb loading. [source]

Tissue elasticity imaging for diagnosis of prostate cancer: A preliminary report

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 12 2006
NAOTO MIYANAGA
Background: Elastography is a diagnostic imaging technique that evaluates the hardness of a lesion. It is expected to become a new diagnostic modality for prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of elastography in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Methods: A total of 29 patients with untreated, histologically proven prostate cancer were examined using an elastographic imaging technique. The patient was scanned in the dorsosacral position and the prostate was manually compressed with a transrectal ultrasonic probe. The echo signals from inside the tissue were measured before and after the tissue compression and an elastogram was generated by spatially differentiation of the displacement distribution. Results: Elastography depicted the cancer lesion as a harder tissue than the surrounding normal prostatic tissue. Elastography successfully detected 93% (27 patients) of the untreated prostate cancer lesions. Detection of cancer lesions using elastography was significantly higher than by digital rectal examination (59%; 17 patients) and transrectal ultrasonography (55%; 16 patients). Conclusion: Elastography has great potential as a useful modality for diagnosis of prostate cancer. Differentiation between cancerous and normal tissues can be expected to become more accurate as a result of technical advances in the quantification of tissue hardness. [source]

Real-time monitoring of injection molding for microfluidic devices using ultrasound

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 4 2005
Y. Ono
Real-time process monitoring of the fabrication process of microfluidic devices using a polymer injection molding machine was carried out using miniature ultrasonic probes. A thick piezoelectric lead-zirconate-titanate film as an ultrasonic transducer (UT) was fabricated onto one end of a 4-mm diameter and 12-mm long steel buffer rods using a sol gel spray technique. The center frequency and 6 dB bandwidth of this UT were 17 MHz and 14 MHz, respectively. A signal-to-noise ratio of more than 30 dB for ultrasonic signals reflected at the probing end was achieved. The probe can operate continuously at 200°C without ultrasonic couplant and cooling. Clear ultrasonic signals were obtained during injection molding of a 1-mm-thick part having test patterns on its surface. Shrinkage of the molded part and part detachment from the mold were successfully monitored. Surface imperfections of the molded parts due to a lack of the sufficient holding pressure is discussed with regard to the ultrasonic velocity obtained. The presented ultrasonic probes and technique enable on-line quality control of the molded part by optimizing the holding pressure and improvement of process efficiency by reducing the cycle time. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:606,612, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]