Diagnostic vs. Therapeutic Ultrasound

Since the 1940’s, ultrasound has been used as a diagnostic tool and a modality for therapy. Although the basic physics principles are the same for both uses, there are slight variations making each form highly effective in their different applications. This research reviews the physics of reflection, absorption, attenuation, intensity and duty factor for each type of ultrasound to show how the similarities and differences make them uniquely useful in the medical field today.