Format is the field of view produced by the probe which appear on the screen. There are two formats; linear and sector.
Linear format has rectangular field of view. Usually used for looking at objects close to the surface.
Sector format has pie-wedge shape field of view. Usually used for looking at deep objects.
Array is the way crystals are arranged in the probe head. There are three types which are commonly used; convex- or curved-linear, flat-linear and phased.
Curved-linear array probe
The basic all purpose abdominal probe.
Low frequency, 2-5 MHz, allow deep penetration into the body.
Has large footprint therefore hard to fit into small areas and hard to make a full contact of the entire probe head with the skin.
Generate a pie, wedge-shape field of view with a quarter-circle cut out of the top part.
Flat-linear probe
High frequency, 5-18 MHz.
Generate rectangular filed of view.
Great axial resolution therefore is the one usually used looking at small objects close to the surface.
Does not allow deep penetration into the body, approximately reliable at 6-8 cm depth.
Available in large and small footprint. Chose small if you need to get into small area, i.e eyeball, ultrasound-guided central line insertion.
Phased-array probe
Low frequency like curved-linear array probe but with smaller footprint and flat surface.
Crystals are layer and packed closely. They both send and receive signal through computer control phasing.
Easier to get into small area. Disadvantages are small near field and poor resolution in the far field when comparing with curved-linear array probe.
Other types of probes
Microconvex probe
Combination of curved-linear array and phased-array probes. Smaller footprint with greater curvature.
Easier to get into small area. Same downside as phased array probe; has small near field and poor resolution in the far field.
Endocavitary probe
Mild frequency microconvex probe with long handle.
Filed of view is fanning wider than curved-linear array probe because of greater curvature of probe head.
Commonly used for transvaginal scanning.
Linear format has rectangular field of view. Usually used for looking at objects close to the surface.
Sector format has pie-wedge shape field of view. Usually used for looking at deep objects.
Curved-linear array probe
The basic all purpose abdominal probe.
Low frequency, 2-5 MHz, allow deep penetration into the body.
Has large footprint therefore hard to fit into small areas and hard to make a full contact of the entire probe head with the skin.
Generate a pie, wedge-shape field of view with a quarter-circle cut out of the top part.
Flat-linear probe
High frequency, 5-18 MHz.
Generate rectangular filed of view.
Great axial resolution therefore is the one usually used looking at small objects close to the surface.
Does not allow deep penetration into the body, approximately reliable at 6-8 cm depth.
Available in large and small footprint. Chose small if you need to get into small area, i.e eyeball, ultrasound-guided central line insertion.
Phased-array probe
Low frequency like curved-linear array probe but with smaller footprint and flat surface.
Crystals are layer and packed closely. They both send and receive signal through computer control phasing.
Easier to get into small area. Disadvantages are small near field and poor resolution in the far field when comparing with curved-linear array probe.
Other types of probes
Microconvex probe
Combination of curved-linear array and phased-array probes. Smaller footprint with greater curvature.
Easier to get into small area. Same downside as phased array probe; has small near field and poor resolution in the far field.
Endocavitary probe
Mild frequency microconvex probe with long handle.
Filed of view is fanning wider than curved-linear array probe because of greater curvature of probe head.
Commonly used for transvaginal scanning.
The basic all purpose abdominal probe.
Low frequency, 2-5 MHz, allow deep penetration into the body.
Has large footprint therefore hard to fit into small areas and hard to make a full contact of the entire probe head with the skin.
Generate a pie, wedge-shape field of view with a quarter-circle cut out of the top part.
High frequency, 5-18 MHz.
Generate rectangular filed of view.
Great axial resolution therefore is the one usually used looking at small objects close to the surface.
Does not allow deep penetration into the body, approximately reliable at 6-8 cm depth.
Available in large and small footprint. Chose small if you need to get into small area, i.e eyeball, ultrasound-guided central line insertion.
Low frequency like curved-linear array probe but with smaller footprint and flat surface.
Crystals are layer and packed closely. They both send and receive signal through computer control phasing.
Easier to get into small area. Disadvantages are small near field and poor resolution in the far field when comparing with curved-linear array probe.
Microconvex probe
Combination of curved-linear array and phased-array probes. Smaller footprint with greater curvature.
Easier to get into small area. Same downside as phased array probe; has small near field and poor resolution in the far field.
Endocavitary probe
Mild frequency microconvex probe with long handle.
Filed of view is fanning wider than curved-linear array probe because of greater curvature of probe head.
Commonly used for transvaginal scanning.
Combination of curved-linear array and phased-array probes. Smaller footprint with greater curvature.
Easier to get into small area. Same downside as phased array probe; has small near field and poor resolution in the far field.
Mild frequency microconvex probe with long handle.
Filed of view is fanning wider than curved-linear array probe because of greater curvature of probe head.
Commonly used for transvaginal scanning.
Ultrasound: physics and knobology
Ultrasound: Signs
Ultrasound: Probe selection
Nerve Block: Median
Ultrasound: Probe orientation
Ultrasound: Tendons
SCVMC:Main
Santa Monica:Antibiotics in Sepsis