The past and present of ultrasound

   

Ultrasound refers to sound waves with a frequency exceeding 20,000 hertz. It boasts excellent directionality, strong penetration, and ease of concentrating acoustic energy. Capable of traveling long distances in water, it finds applications in distance measurement, speed detection, cleaning, welding, lithotripsy, sterilization, and more.

 

At the end of the 19th century, scientists initiated research on ultrasound. In 1883, French physicist Paul Langevin first observed ultrasound in a laboratory setting. He confirmed the existence of sound waves with frequencies above the audible range and coined the term "ultrasound" for this type of wave. In 1912, German physicists Hugo M¨¹nster and Karl Lake utilized ultrasound to measure the speed of sound in liquids¡ªmarking the first practical application of ultrasound technology. In 1922, American physicists Warren Lamb and Isidore Isaac Rabin invented an ultrasound detector for identifying internal human lesions, representing ultrasound¡¯s debut in the medical field.

 

Since the 1950s, driven by advances in electronic technology, ultrasound technology has evolved rapidly. A variety of ultrasound instruments, including detectors, cleaning machines, and thickness gauges, have been developed successively. In healthcare, ultrasound imaging technology has progressed particularly dramatically; the advent of color Doppler ultrasound and three-dimensional ultrasound imaging has established ultrasound as an indispensable medical diagnostic tool.

 

In recent years, with the development of artificial intelligence (AI), ultrasound technology has begun to integrate with AI. For instance, deep learning-based ultrasound image recognition enhances diagnostic accuracy, while AI-powered image segmentation boosts the efficiency of ultrasound image analysis.

 

In summary, ultrasound technology has become a pivotal technology with widespread applications across healthcare, industry, and the military. Looking ahead, as AI technology continues to advance, ultrasound will find even broader utility.