What is Cardiac Ultrasound and How is it Used?

A cardiac ultrasound is a useful tool to evaluate the structure and function of the heart and associated vessels. Cardiac ultrasound provides an overview about heart pumping adequacy, structure of the heart, size of the heart cavities, proper functioning of the heart valves and structural defects of the heart. Additionally, it is possible to image blood circulation in the heart and it also allows diagnosing of homodynamic or circulatory heart disorders.

Also known as an echocardiogram, or echo, the cardiac ultrasound is a noninvasive, diagnostic test that uses high-frequency sound waves to provide an image of the heart's movement, valves, and chambers. A cardiac ultrasound is essentially the same as a pregnancy ultrasound, except instead of viewing a baby, the heart is examined.

There are several different types of cardiac ultrasound echocardiograms, the most common ones for diagnosing heart disease are:

• M-mode - gives a one-dimensional view of the heart as if a line were drawn through it
• 2-dimensional (2-D) or 3-D - show the length and width of the structures in the heart
• Doppler - measures blood flow through the heart and blood vessels.

There are many reasons that a physician may request that a patient have a cardiac ultrasound. Physicians use it to evaluate the heart’s performance as well as to look for irregularities in the structures of the heart, including the heart chambers and valves. An echo may sometimes also be used to look for the cause of a murmur, to check the size of the heart chambers, to check for fluid around the heart, or to inspect the pumping capability of the heart if a patient has shortness of breath or has complained of certain symptoms during any type of exertion.

To perform the test, the cardiologist or sonographer uses a special type of cardicac ultrasound machine and probe to perform an ultrasound of the heart. This is usually done with the probe on the chest, known as a Trans-Thoracic Echocardiogram or TTE.

Occasionally it is essential to get the probe even closer to the heart and this is achieved by a Trans-Oesophageal Echocardiogram or “TOE” and in this case, the probe has to be swallowed and heavy sedation or a general anesthetic is often necessary to make this type of cardiac ultrasound endurable and the patient as comfortable as possible.

MedWOW, the international and multilingual medical equipment marketplace, features an impressive collection of new and used cardiac ultrasound equipment, as well as thousands of cardiac ultrasound parts and accessories from imaging inventories all over the world. MedWOW also offers a large selection of support services, including escrow, professional purchasing services, leasing and financing directory and other services for those seeking to purchase cardiac ultrasound equipment safely and easily – MedWOW!

Medical Imaging Techniques: Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a type of nuclear medicine imaging technique. Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose or treat a variety of diseases, including many types of heart disease, cancers and other irregularities within the human body.

These imaging scans use radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers. Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam you are undergoing, the radiotracer is either injected into a vein, swallowed or inhaled as a gas and eventually accumulates in the organ or area of your body being examined, where it gives off energy in the form of gamma rays. This energy is detected by a device called a gamma camera, a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner and/or a probe. This medical machinery works together with a computer to measure the amount of radiotracer absorbed by your body and to produce special pictures offering details on both the structure and function of organs and tissues.

Manufacturers are now making single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) units that are able to perform both imaging studies at the same time.

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan measures important body functions, such as: blood flow, oxygen use, and sugar (glucose) metabolism, to help doctors evaluate how well organs and tissues are functioning.

Currently, many PET scans are performed on instruments that are combined PET and CT scanners. The combined PET/CT scans provide images that identify the location of atypical metabolic activity within the body. The combined scans have been shown to provide more accurate diagnoses than the two types of scans performed separately.

MedWOW is a comprehensive medical equipment portal, and as over 13,000 medical equipment professionals use the marketplace on a daily basis, there is brisk trade in all makes of Positron emission tomography (PET), mobile Positron emission tomography (PET) and combined PET/CT equipment. MedWOW users come from all over the world, so there is a good chance you will find exactly what you are looking for and at a competitive price. The MedWOW online portal is multilingual (9 languages) and offers for sale through its pioneering online search, PET systems from: Siemens, Philips, GE Healthcare and Hitachi, as well as a large assortment of PET parts. If you don’t find exactly what you are looking for on MedWOW, you can post a free buying request, and as thousands of international sellers enter the site every day, it is likely you will locate the precise model of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) you are looking for.

The Benefits of Computed Radiography (CR)

Computed Radiography (CR), is a method of digitally capturing x-ray images for reading using computers and laser technology. Images are captured on imaging plates that offer flexible positioning because you can insert the imaging plates into any existing wall or table bucky, or wherever you currently use a film plate. When the image has been captured, the imaging plates are then inserted into the computed radiography (CR) reader, the image is read and stored electronically, and the imaging plate is erased and made available for the next usage. The stored computed radiography (CR) image is then available for viewing or distribution through a DICOM viewer or PACS.

Computed radiography (CR) technology uses a reusable phosphor imaging plate, which is scanned by a laser scanner after being exposed to X-ray. This technology is very similar to film in that the images need to be scanned (instead of developed like film) in order to retrieve the x-ray data. However, phosphor computed radiography (CR) plates can be erased and used over and over again to produce extremely high-definition images.

The main benefit of computed radiography (CR) systems over DR imaging systems is that the imaging plates themselves are extremely flat and flexible so they can fit into tight gaps, behind paneling and even wrapped around a target object. Computed radiography (CR) imaging plates are available in a range of different sizes at relatively low cost, so you can purchase several formats to cover a large number of different tasks.

The advantage of computed radiography (CR) systems over traditional x-ray film is that the digital image film can be used again and again so there are no regular consumable costs. X-ray images are much higher resolution and can be digitally enhanced to produce clear defined images. Images can also be stored digitally and will not fade over time. No chemicals or darkroom are needed.

Summary of the key benefits of computed radiography (CR)

• Very high resolution forensic level imaging
• Perfect for revealing complex electronics and circuitry
• Extremely thin, flat, flexible imaging plates
• Reuse image plates 1000+ times
• Enhance and store images digitally
• Range of image plate sizes up to 90 cm long
• Mains/vehicle or battery powered image plate processor
• Auto image plate erase (user selection)
• Fast deployment at target area
• No chemicals
• No carousel or clips required in the imaging process
• Complete system in a single transit case
• Image plate processor can be used from inside transit case for all weather operation

The top marketplace for medical equipment, including computed radiography (CR) systems and other imaging equipment, MedWOW, has firmly established its place in the international market. MedWOW provides good-quality computed radiography (CR) image systems in a safe and secure trading environment. When purchasing or selling a computed radiography (CR), MedWOW has the market, the platform and the buyers. MedWOW has recently upgraded its medical equipment catalogue with various manufacturers, refurbished equipment and new and used computed radiography (CR) systems.
MedWOW represents a variety of makes and model leaders in computed radiography (CR) such as: Carestream Health, Fuji Medical Systems, Agfa, Air Techniques, CoRE labs, CR Medical, Fuji, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Orex and Radlink. These offerings include single and multi-plate systems to fit your volume and need.