In medical diagnosis, B-ultrasound examination is widely used in various clinical departments due to its non-invasive, painless and convenient advantages. However, many patients encounter a common question when undergoing an ultrasound examination: What is the "clear liquid" that doctors apply to the skin before the examination? Is it harmful to the body?
1. Medical Couplant: "Transparent Liquid" in B-ultrasound Examination
An indispensable medical couplant in ultrasound testing, commonly known as ultrasound coupling solution, is a transparent lubricating medium applied to the surface of the patient's skin during ultrasound testing. Its main role is to act as a medium for ultrasound, so that ultrasound can enter the human body more efficiently, so as to obtain clearer examination images. The main component of the couplant is a water-soluble polymer gel, which has an acoustic impedance similar to that of human tissue, which can reduce the reflection and scattering of ultrasound waves on the skin surface, and improve the penetration and imaging quality of ultrasound.
Second, the role and characteristics of medical couplants
Optimized ultrasound penetration: The couplant effectively reduces the reflection of ultrasound waves at the skin interface, ensuring that more ultrasound waves penetrate deep into the body, thereby accurately improving the quality of detection.
Optimized imaging: The couplant eliminates the air layer between the probe and the skin, allowing the ultrasound to propagate smoothly and obtain clearer and more detailed scans.
Improved smoothing experience: The couplant has excellent lubricating properties, significantly reducing friction between the probe and the skin, making the examination process smoother and more comfortable.
Non-toxic and safe choice: Couplant, this water-based polymer gel, escorts the health of patients, is safe and harmless, and can be used with confidence.
3. Selection and use of medical couplant
Couplant selection: The doctor carefully selects the appropriate type of couplant according to the examination site and the specific condition of the patient. For example, for intact skin, a non-sterile couplant can be used; For intraoperative ultrasound, wounds, ulcerated skin, and transesophageal, vaginal, and rectal mucosal tissues, aseptic couplant is required.
Use of couplant: When using couplant, the doctor applies an appropriate amount of couplant to the probe and then places it on the patient's skin for examination. The amount of couplant should be moderate, avoiding too much or too little. Too much couplant may flow into the patient's body, causing unnecessary trouble; Too little couplant can lead to unclear inspection images.
4. Safety assessment of medical couplant
The safety of medical couplants has attracted much attention, and rich data have been accumulated in research and clinical practice at home and abroad. These studies have shown that the couplant is non-toxic and harmless to humans and does not cause any health effects on patients. In addition, the couplant does not produce any adverse or allergic reactions during use. Patients can be relieved to undergo ultrasound without worrying too much about the couplant.
5. Unique insights and cutting-edge suggestions
Popularize couplant knowledge: In order to increase public awareness and acceptance of ultrasound examinations, hospitals and the media should strengthen the popularization of couplant knowledge. Through advocacy and education, patients are informed about the role, properties, and safety of the couplant, and their doubts and concerns are allowed.
R&D of new couplants: With the continuous development of medical technology, we can expect more new, efficient, and safe couplants to emerge in the future. These new couplants may have advantages such as better imaging, longer duration, or lower cost, further improving the quality and efficiency of ultrasound examinations.
Improving the use of couplant: Currently, the use of couplant is relatively simple, but there are still some areas that can be improved. For example, a device for automatic application of couplant can be developed to reduce the physician's workload and improve the uniformity of application. In addition, the use of degradable materials in the manufacture of couplants is being explored, aiming to reduce the potential burden on the environment.
Medical couplants play an indispensable and critical role in ultrasound detection. It improves the accuracy and imaging quality of the examination while not being harmful to the patient's health. By popularizing the knowledge of couplants, developing new couplants, and improving their use, we can further improve the quality and efficiency of ultrasound examinations and provide better medical services to patients.
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