ZPXFW Blog

The method know as three dimensional ultrasound scanning is used when a woman is in early pregnancy, it can provide 3d pictures of the unborn baby. Most of the time these ultrasound samples are rapidly captured and combined and animated to produce a “4d ultrasound scan”.

Three dimensional scans works in a similar way to the normal ultrasound methods except that the ultrasound scanning waves can be sent from many directions. The ultrasound pulses are redirected back then captured to provide info to construct a 3d image in in a similar manner to 3d pictures. 3 dimesional ultasound scanning was first developed by olaf von ramm and stephen smith in america.

It is important to understand that sonologists everywhere have always conjured 3d pictures of anatomy or pathology in their minds whilst doing 2d scans. However, until recently it was difficult to do this kind of reconstruction on on information using ultasound scanning. With the introduction of 4d baby scans for the first time allowed us a view into the brain of a sonologist and so allowing us see the images on the ultrasound machine.

3d/4d ultrasound imaging should utilize ultrasound energy following the same limits as conventional 2d ultrasound to create the 3d images. While there is no information of harm due to 3d ultasound scanning, its use in non-medical situations needs to be undertaken with an understanding of the risks involved.