What does continuous ultrasound imply?

What does continuous ultrasound imply?

• A. 100% duty cycle, sound waves are present, thermal
• B. 50% duty cycle, pulsed
• C. Anything below 100%
• D. No energy delivered

Answer: (A)

Continuous ultrasound means the energy is delivered without interruption, i.e., a 100% duty cycle. The transducer is on for the entire treatment time, so tissue receives a steady acoustic input, which leads to thermal effects like tissue heating. This is exactly what continuous ultrasound is used for when increasing temperature is desired. By contrast, a duty cycle less than 100% delivers energy in on/off bursts (pulsed), reducing heating and often emphasizing non-thermal effects. So continuous ultrasound implies energy is present throughout and causes heating; it is not zero energy and not anything below 100%.

Continuous ultrasound means the energy is delivered without interruption, i.e., a 100% duty cycle. The transducer is on for the entire treatment time, so tissue receives a steady acoustic input, which leads to thermal effects like tissue heating. This is exactly what continuous ultrasound is used for when increasing temperature is desired. By contrast, a duty cycle less than 100% delivers energy in on/off bursts (pulsed), reducing heating and often emphasizing non-thermal effects. So continuous ultrasound implies energy is present throughout and causes heating; it is not zero energy and not anything below 100%.