Understanding 4D Ultrasound Training for Obstetric

Understanding 4D Ultrasound Training for Obstetric

Ultrasound Trainers has been the global leader in 3D/4D elective keepsake ultrasound training since 2005. We have perfected the art of teaching how to perform 4D ultrasounds and have simplified the process to allow virtually anyone the ability to obtain elective ultrasound images. Elective 4D ultrasounds are a separate “beast” when it comes to ultrasounds. Performing 3D/4D ultrasounds is vastly different than the typical 2D ultrasounds that are taught at schools around the world. In order to perform 3D/4D elective ultrasounds one not only has to view the ultrasound “backwards or shifted” but have the appreciation and want to please the pregnant mother and family. Unlike diagnostic ultrasound, elective keepsake ultrasounds are typically performed for the pleasure of the parents and family. The goal with elective babyface ultrasounds is to give great images while being friendly and making the family feel that they are part of the experience. If you are coming from a diagnostic background; often the hardest part of the transition into 3D/4D ultrasounds is allowing yourself to open up, talk, and be friendly with the family. Unlike the clinical setting, your job with elective ultrasounds is to HAVE A FUN TIME! While reading the information below please remember that each machine will have its own controls and buttons.  So it is important to remember that learning the meaning behind the controls and buttons will help you when you use different equipment.  Terminology controls and this may refer mostly to the Samsung A30 (with HD). Manipulation of three data sets is simple, if you can train your brain to think 3D.

What is 2D ultrasound? What is 3D ultrasound?

2D = acquisition of two dimensional information 3D = acquisition by three and a motorized scanning techniques to display: Volume rendered image Surface rendering image Sectional images 4D = “Real Time” 3D – continuous display of the 3D images

Physics of 3D Ultrasound

  1. Acquisitionof the 3-D data set – 3D data is usually acquired as a large number of consecutive, tomographic images through the movement of a 3-D ultrasound probe, using their automatic method acquisition
  2. Constructionof the 3-D data set – tomographic images obtained must be constructed into a 3-D data set and processed by the machines software. 2D images are composed of pixels, 3D data sets are composed of a set of volume elements each of which have a gray scale
  3. Volume– visualization of the data.
Acquisition of 3D data 3D data is usually acquired as a large number of consecutive tomographic images through the movement of a 3D ultrasound probe.  These “tomograms” are digitized and loaded into the machines software program, along with positional information to build the volume of data. Motorized acquisition Transducers that support 3D image acquisition require you to hold the transducer in a fixed location during acquisition. Construction of the 3D data set The tomographic slices obtain through the image acquisition must be constructed three-dimensionally into a 3D data set for further computer processing. The 3D data set is composed of a set of volume elements, which are basically a three dimensional representation of the pixels.  Each body element defines a point in three-dimensional space with an X, Y, & Z coordinates.  That this lady can be minute deleted in the same manner as pixels and can also be changed by manipulation of texture transparency and brightness controls. Volume visualization of the data The 3D data must be processed by the computer to be displayed on the monitor. There are three main rendering models commonly used. For 3D/4D elective ultrasound we use the surface rendering mode. Surface rendering is when we show the face or body part as if it was a “photo.”      

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