Which control most directly adjusts the intensity of the transmitted ultrasound pulse?

Which control most directly adjusts the intensity of the transmitted ultrasound pulse?

• A. Acoustic output (transmit) power
• B. Receiver gain
• C. Depth of scanning
• D. Time gain compensation (TGC)

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the energy sent into the body, i.e., the intensity of the transmitted ultrasound pulse, is set by the acoustic output (transmit) power. This control adjusts the electrical drive to the transducer, changing the amplitude of the emitted wave and thus the pulse’s intensity. Everything else after the pulse is emitted deals with signals that have already traveled and returned. Receiver gain boosts the strength of echoes after they’re received, altering image brightness but not how much energy was sent out. Depth of scanning changes where the system looks and how long echoes travel, not how hard the transducer is driven. Time gain compensation modifies amplification with depth during reception to compensate for attenuation, again without changing the transmitted pulse itself.

The main idea is that the energy sent into the body, i.e., the intensity of the transmitted ultrasound pulse, is set by the acoustic output (transmit) power. This control adjusts the electrical drive to the transducer, changing the amplitude of the emitted wave and thus the pulse’s intensity. Everything else after the pulse is emitted deals with signals that have already traveled and returned.

Receiver gain boosts the strength of echoes after they’re received, altering image brightness but not how much energy was sent out. Depth of scanning changes where the system looks and how long echoes travel, not how hard the transducer is driven. Time gain compensation modifies amplification with depth during reception to compensate for attenuation, again without changing the transmitted pulse itself.