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FutureLearn

Ultrasound Imaging: What Is Inside?

University of Twente via FutureLearn

This course may be unavailable.

Overview

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Discover how ultrasound imaging works

With this ultrasound imaging course, you’ll explore some of the main principles behind this fascinating technology. Starting with an ultrasound definition and working your way through the science behind the process, you’ll learn about the clinical applications of an ultrasound scan.

Whether you’re simply curious about how the process works, considering sonographer training, or hoping to improve your existing clinical knowledge, this is the course for you.

Learn about the uses of ultrasound

How does ultrasound imaging work? And what is an ultrasound scan? You’ll explore these questions and more as you progress through the course syllabus.

You’ll also examine the current developments in technology, and the new possibilities in ultrasound imaging are arising that may improve diagnostics.

Understand ultrasound imaging from three perspectives

Ultrasound can only be correctly performed and improved when users have a profound knowledge of the underlying technology. With that in mind, this free online course is based on three major perspectives:

  1. Medical perspective: In Week 1 we will examine the versatile use of ultrasound imaging for medical purposes.
  2. Technical perspective: In Weeks 2 to 4 we will explain the underlying technology of ultrasound imaging.
  3. Technical medical perspective: In Weeks 5 and 6 we will apply your newly acquired technical background knowledge of ultrasound to make better images.

Develop your clinical knowledge and patient care

Whether you’re wondering how to learn ultrasound or how to become a sonographer, this course can provide some of the foundations you’ll need. Once completed, you’ll have a good understanding of the technology of ultrasound imaging, and you can apply this knowledge in examples of ultrasound use in the clinic.

This course is aimed at everyone interested in ultrasound imaging, its technological background, and its application in clinical practice. Medical students and professionals working with ultrasound who wish to improve their fundamental understanding of ultrasound may find this course particularly useful.

This course will also be beneficial to those considering a career as a radiologist, nurse, or healthcare professionalIt would also be useful for students or prospective students who are considering an area of specialism and wish to further their knowledge of ultrasound techniques and practice.

Participants are expected to have a pre-university level in mathematics and physics.

Participants with the expected starting level will need about 3 hours per week for the course. If you already have knowledge or experience about the technical aspects or medical use of ultrasound imaging, you may need less time to complete the course.

In this course, you will investigate ultrasound imaging in-depth and explore the different possibilities from an ultrasound device. However, it is not necessary to have an ultrasound device available.

Syllabus

  • Ultrasound in medical practice
    • Welcome to Week one
    • Case I - The Intensive Care
    • Case II - The Musculoskeletal System
    • Case III - The Trauma Patient
    • Case IV - Obstetrics
    • Case V - Blood vessels
    • End of week summary
  • The technology behind ultrasound - Part one
    • Welcome to Week two
    • What is sound?
    • How do we create sound?
    • What happens when sound reaches human tissue?
    • Summary of Week two
  • The technology behind ultrasound - Part two
    • Welcome to Week three
    • How can we see human tissue?
    • Doppler
    • What determines our image?
    • What can we do with our image?
    • Summary of Week three
  • The technology behind ultrasound - Part three
    • Welcome to Week four
    • What do we see?
    • Advanced ultrasound options
    • Special probe applications
    • Summary of Week four
  • Technical medicine of ultrasound - The first cases
    • Welcome to Week five
    • Case I - Intensive Care
    • Case II - The Musculoskeletal System
    • Case teasers
    • 3-D/4-D applications
    • Mini case: Echocardiography
    • End of Week summary
  • Technical medicine of ultrasound - The final cases
    • Welcome to Week six
    • Case III - The trauma patient
    • Case IV - Obstetrics
    • Case V - Blood vessels
    • Tailor-made session
    • End of the course summary

Taught by

Jordy van Zandwijk and Wiendelt Steenbergen

Reviews

4.4 rating, based on 5 Class Central reviews

4.5 rating at FutureLearn based on 52 ratings

Start your review of Ultrasound Imaging: What Is Inside?

  • I Have to say that as a the teacher promised, as you advanced after unit 1, concepts become clear, and clearer.

    I have teaching experience in medecine. I have to admit that this instructor it's one of the kind ( A+).

    I will complete the first part and upgrade, and hope, then upgrade the full year.

    Thank you ,for all the effort you given, ( The gifted teaching the non gifted).

    I do believed, That I will learn sufficiently to employ this technique to complement the physical examination of my patients.

    My kind regards,

    Dr. Juan Herrera Salazar

    Nicaragua
  • Ninj
    Hi . I am radiologist . I am working in national diagnosis and treatment center of mongolian hospital. I want do to doppler ultrasound .
  • Bagirova Nargiz Fazil Q.
    It is very interesting and useful course as for beginners and also for professional sonologists , because this kind of courses helps to improve knowledges of beginners and helps prefessional sonografists repeat forgotten ultrasonologic skills. Great Thank for everyone who prepared this course
  • Profile image for Kurokami Alba
    Kurokami Alba

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