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Medical Devices and Systems

Ultrasound: Transducers

Publication ,  Chapter
Goldberg, RL; Smith, SW
January 1, 2006

An ultrasound transducer generates acoustic waves by converting magnetic, thermal, and electrical energy into mechanical energy. The most efficient technique for medical ultrasound uses the piezoelectric effect, which was first demonstrated in 1880 by Jacques and Pierre Curie [Curie and Curie, 1880]. They applied a stress to a quartz crystal and detected an electrical potential across opposite faces of the material. The Curies also discovered the inverse piezoelectric effect by applying an electric field across the crystal to induce a mechanical deformation. In this manner, a piezoelectric transducer converts an oscillating electric signal into an acoustic wave, and vice versa.

Duke Scholars

Publication Date

January 1, 2006

Start / End Page

14-1-14-16
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Goldberg, R. L., & Smith, S. W. (2006). Ultrasound: Transducers. In Medical Devices and Systems (pp. 14-1-14–16).
Goldberg, R. L., and S. W. Smith. “Ultrasound: Transducers.” In Medical Devices and Systems, 14-1-14–16, 2006.
Goldberg RL, Smith SW. Ultrasound: Transducers. In: Medical Devices and Systems. 2006. p. 14-1-14–6.
Goldberg, R. L., and S. W. Smith. “Ultrasound: Transducers.” Medical Devices and Systems, 2006, pp. 14-1-14–16.
Goldberg RL, Smith SW. Ultrasound: Transducers. Medical Devices and Systems. 2006. p. 14-1-14–16.

Publication Date

January 1, 2006

Start / End Page

14-1-14-16