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Applications of Infra and Ultrasound Practical Applications of Ultrasound and Infrasound in Medicine or Other Areas RAJARAM BHAGAVATHULA, Virginia

Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia INTRODUCTION

Sound can be defined as vibration transmitted through a solid, liquid or gas medium and capable of being detected by human ear. The medium in which the sound waves travel must have mass and elasticity. Frequency (f) is the number of pressure cycles per unit time; its unit is cycles per second or Hertz (Hz). Sound is made up of different frequency components. The human audible range is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The human ear is not capable of hearing sounds whose frequency is beyond these limits. Infrasound is that sound whose frequency components extend below lower audible frequency limit of 20 Hz. Ultrasound is that sound whose frequency components extends above the upper audible frequency limit of 20,000 Hz. The following sections deal with each ultrasound and infrasound in detail, listing out their practical applications in medicine and other areas. INFRASOUND Infrasound frequencies are too low to be heard by the human ear. Infrasound occurs naturally when ocean waves pound against the shores, during storms and earthquakes, when meteors hit the earths atmosphere. Infrasound is not absorbed to the same degree as other higher frequencies, consequently it can travel great distances. Infrasound content was also found to be present in animal sounds like those of the whale, elephant etc. The applications of infrasound have been discussed in the following sub-section.

Applications of Infra and Ultrasound

APPLICATIONS OF INFRASOUND Therapeutic Devices Several studies conducted in Russia and Europe reported that infrasound has therapeutic effects. Infrasound pneumomassage at 4 Hz (daily 10 minute sessions for 10 days) stabilized the progression of myopia in school children (Sidorenko, Obrubov and Alimova, 1997). Infrasound phonophersis of antibacterial drugs in the treatment of patients with bacterial keratitis was as effective as local instillation of the same drugs (Sidorneko, Filatov and Alimova, 1999). Thermovibration massage at 10 Hz was a useful adjunct in combined treatment of patients with chronic cholecystitis and opisthorchiasis, improving motor-evacuation function of the biliary system (Poddubnaya, Levitski and Beloborodova, 1999). Vibrotherapy sources used in medicine generate audible as well as infrasound frequencies (Naoun and legras, 1974). At least two hand-held vibrotherapy devices are currently advertised to the public. The Infratronic QGM Quantum device, developed out of scientific research in Beijing, China, is said to focus chi or life energy into patients' bodies and stimulate[s] relaxation and healing. It operates at 8 to 14 Hz, 70 dB, and is said to be "recognized by FDA as a 510k Therapeutic Massager (CHI Institute, 1998). The second device is the Nostrafon Infrasound Wave Massager from Novafon, which is said to provide a 2.25-in. deep massage using mixed-frequency sound waves ( Nostrafon, 2001). Such vibrotherapy devices are used for treating horses and athletes (CHI Institute, 2001). The Chi infrasound device is said to calm race horses by

Applications of Infra and Ultrasound

stimulating production of alpha brain waves (Brunker, 2001).The HydroSonic Relaxation System delivers infrasound and other low-frequency sound to the body by water conduction through a heated water mattress. The treatments can be applied through clothing and casts and the low-frequency waves can be programmed to penetrate surface muscles and internal organs to massage deep tissue. Typical treatments last about 30 minutes. The frequencies are generated by a compact disc and amplified (HydroSonic Systems, undated). Detecting Nuclear Explosions Utilizing the received infrasonic waves radiated from a nuclear explosion, the source can be detected. The operating principle is as follows, when an infrasound signal crosses the array, small differences in arrival times of the signal of the signal at the individual array elements are used to calculate the velocity and direction of the signal (Haak and Evers, 2002). Monitoring the Activities of the Atmosphere The infrasonic waves will be influenced by atmosphere during its propagation, and this influence is closely related with the distribution of temperature and wind in the atmosphere. By measuring the propagation properties of infrasonic waves generated by natural sources, one can detect some characteristics and rules of the large scale meteorological motions (Nishiyama, Bedard and Kirschner, 2002). Forecasting Natural Disasters Many disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, clear-air turbulences etc radiate infrasound in advance, thus by monitoring the infrasound waves; we can in a way forecast these disasters.

Applications of Infra and Ultrasound ULTRASOUND

Ultrasound is defined as a sound whose frequency is too high for the perception of the human ear. The lower limit frequency limit for the ultrasound is taken as 20,000 Hz. The fundamentals of ultrasound are same as the principles of physical acoustics which apply to sound generally. Ultrasound is rapidly becoming the imaging method of choice for much of diagnostic medicine. More information about the application of

ultrasound is provided in the following subsection. APPLICATIONS OF ULTRASOUND Diagnostic Applications in Medicine: Pulse Echo Visualization Ultrasonic pulse echo techniques provide a lot of information about the internal structure of an object. The information about the object is obtained by using discrete lines of sight, with the transducer position and orientation which defines the line of sight and the delay of received echoes, which are used to determine the range of the echo producing object. It can be used in a wide range of clinical conditions and is useful in many parts of the body. There are different modes of operation of pulse echo visualization. The three important modes of operation along with their application areas are given below:A Mode: A-mode display only allows measurements of distances along the line of sight. Due to the difficulty in identifying individual echoes in a complex echo pattern, this technique has been limited to objects with relatively simple and repeatable geometry. The main uses of A-mode system have been in the determination of the position of the midline of the brain (Robinson, Jellins and Kossoff, 1970) in ophthalmology (Wainstock, 1969) and in the fetal biparietal diameter measurement. A-mode visualization of the eye

Applications of Infra and Ultrasound

has shown success in measurement of the physical size of the eye and localizing and diagnosing intraocular lesions. M-Mode: The M-mode technique has received has found wide clinical acceptance in the examination of the heart (Feigenbaum, 1972). The original applications were in the examination of the mitral valve, in differential diagnosis of mitral stenosis.It is also used in investigation of pericardial effusion, or accumulation of fluid around the heart. In each case, identification of the echo producing structures was achieved by demonstration of an easily recognizable and unique pattern of movement of the structures of interest. B-Mode: A very wide area of application of the B-mode technique is in obstetrics and gynecology (Garett and Robsinson, 1970). A swelling in the lower abdominal area can be examined directly if it is sufficiently large to displace the air containing bowel, or through the window provided by the full bladder. The identity of the lesion can be identified as a fibroid or a malignancy or an early pregnancy. Ultrasonic visualization can provide diagnostic information from a very early stage in pregnancy. The

expanding uterus can be examined first through the full bladder and later directly through the abdominal wall. The heart beats have been seen at the sixth week of gestation. The period of gestation or age of the fetus can also be revealed to within a few days during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Multiple pregnancy is easily diagnosed. Fetal abnormalities which require prompt surgical attention ca be diagnosed before the baby is born. The measurement of fetal growth rate allows an accurate assessment of fetal progress to be obtained. The examination of abdominal organs is the second most common application after obstetrics and gynecology. The kidneys are readily outlined and are usually examined from the back (King, 1972). The size and the shape of the

Applications of Infra and Ultrasound

kidneys can be determined, the presence of gross structural change such as a tumor or a polycystic disease can be seen and deviations from normal echographic picture can lead to diagnosis of functional abnormalities. The thyroid is a superficial organ and is well suited to ultrasonic visualization. The examination of thyroid reveals the presence of enlargement of the thyroid tissue (Jellins, Kossoff, Wiseman, Reeve and Hales, 1978). Diagnostic Applications in Medicine: Doppler Techniques Ultrasound based diagnostic imaging technique can be enhanced with Doppler measurements, which employ the Doppler effect to assess whether structures (usually blood) are moving towards or away from the probe, and its relative velocity. By calculating the frequency shift of a particular sample volume, for example a jet of blood flow over a heart valve, its speed and direction can be determined and visualized. The principal applications of Doppler Effect are in cardiac and peripheral vascular diagnostic specialties. Pulsed Doppler devices are used in both areas with continuous wave devices are predominantly used in peripheral vascular examination. Current qualitative applications involve two aspects of blood flow evaluation. The first is detection and localization of normal versus abnormal blood flow. The second is imaging of flow lumen to show the location and alterations in the anatomy of a vessel. The cardiac applications of pulsed Doppler devices are primarily concerned with the detection and evaluation of blood flow disturbances resulting from valve and septal defects (Fry ed., 1978).

Applications of Infra and Ultrasound Therapeutic Applications

Ultrasound is useful as a therapeutic agent primarily because of its ability to heat tissues. The utility of ultrasound therapy is based on its selective propagation and absorption patterns in the human tissue. Temperature elevation resulting from ultrasound application can produce an increase in the extensibility of the collagen tissue, thus it can be used for reducing joint contractures. Therapeutic procedures such as range of motion exercises and stretch are best applied together with application of therapeutic heat to produce greatest residual elongation with least damage to tissue. Ultrasound is used in this case as it is selectively absorbed by bone and elevates temperature in adjacent contracted tissue. Experimental studies have shown that in humans the pain threshold can be elevated by ultrasonic application to both peripheral nerve and free nerve endings. This is due the ability of ultrasound to elevate temperature. Ultrasound can also be useful for relieving muscle spasms which may be associated with bone, joint or nerve pathology (Fry ed., 1978). CONCLUSION In conclusion, infrasound and ultrasound have many applications not only in the filed of medicine but also other fields. Besides medicine ultrasound is also used in wide variety of industrial applications like mixing, cell disruption, emulsification etc. Many of the applications of infrasound research are connected to natural disaster and meteorology, from which the whole human race can benefit.

Applications of Infra and Ultrasound REFERENCES Back Be Nimble. 2001. Nostrafon The infrasound (sub-sonic) wave massager from Novafon. Available at http://backbenimble.com/new/pages/novafon/index.htm?cont=1

Brunker, M. 2001. Seeking the alternative therapy edge: More trainers use acupuncture, other treatments on their horses. MSNBC news story. Available at http://www.msnbc.com/news/567829.asp. CHI Institute. 2001. Infrasound profiles: An interview with Dr. Ronald J. Riegel, DVM and certified human neurophysiologist. CHI Newsletter. CHI Institute. Available at http://www.chinahealthways.com/newsletters/104/104_A.html. CHI Institute. 1998. CHI Institute Infratronic. Available at http://www.chinahealthways.com/infratronic.html Feigenbaum, H. (1972). Echocardiography, Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia. Fry, F.J. ed. (1978). Ultrasound: Its Applications in Medicine and Biology Part I. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company. Pg 254-255. Fry, F.J. ed. (1978). Ultrasound: Its Applications in Medicine and Biology Part II. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company. Pg 566-571, 613-628. Garett, W.J. and Robinson, D.E. (1970). Ultrasound in Clinical Obstetrics. Haak, H., and Evers, L. 2002. Infrasound as a tool for CTBT verification. In Verification Yearbook. Pg 207-221. HydroSonic Systems, undated. HydroSonic relaxation table. Available at http://www.hydrosonic.com/hydroson.htm. Jellins, J, Kossoff, G., Wiseman, J., Reeve, T. and Hales, I. (1978). Ultrasound in Med. and Biology.

Applications of Infra and Ultrasound

King, D.L. (1972). Radiology, Pg 633. Naoun, A., and B. Legras. 1974. Infrasound and vibrotherapy. Feuill. Electroradiol.14 (84): EMBASE record 76039928. Pg 3-12 Nishiyama, R.T., Bedard, A.J., and Kirschner, A.L. 2002. Strong Winds Over Mountains and Infrasound: Possible Applications fro detecting Regions Related to Aircraft Turbulence Reports. In Journal of Applied Meteorology. (Pg 879-881) Poddubnaya, O.A., E.F. Levitskii, and E.I. Beloborodova. 1999. The effect of thermalvibration massage on the function of the hepatobiliary system in patients with chronic cholecystitis and opisthorchiasis. Vopr. Kurortol. Fizioter. Fiz. Kult. (6): Pg19-21. MEDLINE record 2000106297. Robinson, D.E., Jellins, J., Kossoff, G. (1970). Ultrasonics Pg 93. Sidorenko, E.I., V.V. Filatov, and Yu. M. Alimova. 1999. Clinical assessment of infrasonic phonophoresis efficacy in the treatment of bacterial keratitis. Vestn. Oftalmol. 115(2): MEDLINE record 1999305635. Pg 31-32 Sidorenko, E.I., S.A. Obrubov and A.R. Tumasian. 1997. Experience of clinical use of infrasound pneumomassage in the treatment of progressive myopia in school children. Vestn. Oftalmol. 113(3): MEDLINE record 97381659. Pg18-20 Wainstock, M.A. ed. (1969). Ultrasonography in Ophthalmology, Little, Brown and Company, Boston.

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