(Name) Medical Physics Applications 1
Unit 21: Assignment 2
(Name)
Department of Science, (School)
Biomedical Science
(Due Date)
, (Name) Medical Physics Applications 2
Unit 21: Assignment 2
Risks and Limitations of Non-ionising Techniques in Medicine
Risks and Limitations of Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a type of non-ionising technique used to treat and diagnose patients. The
procedure is generally safe with a low chance of complications; however, the energy released
from ultrasound waves heats biological tissues and inevitably damages them. Therefore,
somebody must evaluate risks to the operator and the patient. Safe operating procedures
(SOPs) must be followed to ensure the operator and the patient's safety. The amount of time
that the patient is exposed to the ultrasound is critical, excessive exposure to non-ionising
radiation can lead to skin burns and deep tissue damage, predominantly caused by penetrative
heating (Non-Ionising Radiation, n.d.). The risk of exposure is particularly prevalent in
pregnant women because, if the woman is exposed to the ultrasound too long, it can cause
irreversible damage to the unborn baby.
Internal ultrasounds require a probe to be inserted into the body when the probe is
inserted the patient may feel some discomfort. Additionally, the probe has a latex covering
on; if the patient is allergic to latex, they may experience an allergic reaction. Therefore, the
operator must be aware of the patient's allergies before the ultrasound can occur.
Airborne ultrasound exposure poses a risk to the operator and the patient, if the
frequency nears 20kHz, then there is a potential for noise-induced hearing loss. The length of
exposure and proximity from the source must be monitored immediately when the equipment
leaves its acoustically insulated cabinet to prevent hearing damage (Ultrasound Equipment
Risk Assessment, 2020).
Unit 21: Assignment 2
(Name)
Department of Science, (School)
Biomedical Science
(Due Date)
, (Name) Medical Physics Applications 2
Unit 21: Assignment 2
Risks and Limitations of Non-ionising Techniques in Medicine
Risks and Limitations of Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a type of non-ionising technique used to treat and diagnose patients. The
procedure is generally safe with a low chance of complications; however, the energy released
from ultrasound waves heats biological tissues and inevitably damages them. Therefore,
somebody must evaluate risks to the operator and the patient. Safe operating procedures
(SOPs) must be followed to ensure the operator and the patient's safety. The amount of time
that the patient is exposed to the ultrasound is critical, excessive exposure to non-ionising
radiation can lead to skin burns and deep tissue damage, predominantly caused by penetrative
heating (Non-Ionising Radiation, n.d.). The risk of exposure is particularly prevalent in
pregnant women because, if the woman is exposed to the ultrasound too long, it can cause
irreversible damage to the unborn baby.
Internal ultrasounds require a probe to be inserted into the body when the probe is
inserted the patient may feel some discomfort. Additionally, the probe has a latex covering
on; if the patient is allergic to latex, they may experience an allergic reaction. Therefore, the
operator must be aware of the patient's allergies before the ultrasound can occur.
Airborne ultrasound exposure poses a risk to the operator and the patient, if the
frequency nears 20kHz, then there is a potential for noise-induced hearing loss. The length of
exposure and proximity from the source must be monitored immediately when the equipment
leaves its acoustically insulated cabinet to prevent hearing damage (Ultrasound Equipment
Risk Assessment, 2020).
