3D/4D ultrasound imaging comes to Ronan

New 4D Old Ultrasound

Expectant parents can add a new page to their child’s first photo album, thanks to a new 3D/4D (dimensional) ultrasound unit capable of producing high-resolution scans of an unborn baby’s face. Steve Sivak, director of radiology at St. Luke Hospital, says the new unit “is light years ahead” of the nine-year-old system that it replaces. New digital equipment has revolutionized ultrasound technology, creating smoother, crisper images for a wide array of diagnostic studies. Sonograms send and receive sound waves through a transducer, in much the same way that sonar helps ships navigate at sea. The sound waves, recorded and displayed on screen as a real-time image, allow physicians to examine many of the body’s internal organs, see blood flow and evaluate heart function. It also gives many parents a first picture of their unborn child, which can be saved to a compact disc.Technologists will use the new equipment for a variety of exams, including OB/GYN, vascular, abdomen and small parts imaging. “It’s produce a much better image for the radiologist to interpret,” says Sivak.The 3D/4D capability “is like dessert,” he adds. “It will be a lot of fun for parents to see their baby’s face.” Registered radiologic and ultrasound technicians Kris McDonald and Susan Chatfield are both excited about the new equipment. “It’s just an amazing machine,” says McDonald, who has ten years of experience in ultrasound imaging. “We’re really fortunate to have this state-of-the-art technology here.” Chatfield, who became a radiologic technician in 1968, started giving ultrasound exams three decades ago “when the field was Still in its infancy.” In those days, sonograms “looked like a weather map,” she says.

Radiologic technologists Susan Chatfield and Kris McDonald and Steve Sivak, head of the St. Luke radiology department, look forward to using 3D/4D ultrasound technology.Those original 2D ultrasounds have been replaced in recent years with 3D/4D technology, which offers a three-dimensional understanding of human anatomy. The hospital evaluated several machines before purchasing the new model. “Most were competitive – almost toe to toe,” says Chatfield. “The difference came down to quality service and price.” According to Sivak, the new machine comes with seven transducers – the wands technicians move across the body to take a reading. Each is tailored to different body parts or sizes, thus aiding in the accuracy of the reading. St. Luke’s radiology department performs around 160 ultrasound exams a month. “Our biggest concern was to get the best possible image to aid in the diagnostic work for our patients,” says Chatfield. She adds that some of the studies, such as vascular or carotid artery exams, “can be huge life-savers by helping to circumvent strokes.” The new technology is also more user-friendly for technologists, who can suffer back, shoulder and neck strain from conducting repeated scans. “These newer systems are just more ergonomically designed,” says Sivak. He adds that because the system is digital, upgrades are as simple as “plugging a CD into the PC.” Patients, technologists and physicians will all benefit from the “amazingly clear” images generated by the new equipment, says McDonald. Patients will also appreciate the equipment’s efficiency, which makes for quicker exams. As for expectant parents, the system can deliver the first 3D/4D look at their baby. Talk to your doctor about scheduling an ultrasound with the St. Luke Imaging Department.