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Ultrasound Biosafety Considerations for the Practicing Sonographer and Sonologist

Departments of Radiology and Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California USA (T.R.N.); Departments of Radiology and Bioengineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA (J.B.F.); Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois USA (J.S.A.); and National Center for Physical Acoustics, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi USA (C.C.C.).

Address correspondence to Thomas R. Nelson, PhD, Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, Medical Teaching Facility, Room 113, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093-0610 USA. E-mail: tnelson{at}ucsd.edu

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present the practicing sonographer and sonologist with an overview of the biohazards of ultrasound and guidelines for safe use.

Key Words: bioeffects • fetal • mechanical index • output display standard • thermal index • ultrasound

Abbreviations: ALARA, as low as reasonably achievable • FDA, Food and Drug Administration • I_SPTA, spatial-peak temporal-average intensity • MI, mechanical index • ODS, output display standard • TI, thermal index • TIB, thermal index for bone • TIC, thermal index for cranial bone • TIS, thermal index for soft tissue