| Instructor |
Steven L. Hess, MS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT |
| Title |
Adjunct Faculty, Diagnostic Medical Sonography |
| Home Phone |
(402) 614-7609 |
| Office Phone |
(402) 354-7272 |
| Phone Hours |
Home - (M-F 5 - 9 P.M. S,S,H 9 - 9) |
| Office Hours |
M - F 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. |
| E-mail |
Steve.Hess@methodistcollege.edu |
| Location |
Clark 2251 |
| Times |
Tuesday - 8:45 - 11:45 A.M. |
| Dates |
25 August - 21 October |
| Course Credits |
2 |
Required Text
Understanding Ultrasound Physics, 4th Ed. Edelman, S. (2012), ESP-Inc., ISBN 0-962644-5-5
Suggested Text
Diagnostic Ultrasound Principles and Instrumentation, 6th Ed. Kremkau, F. (2002), W.B. Saunders CO., ISBN 0-7216-9330-X
Course Objectives
GENERAL OBJECTIVE: I. The student will demonstrate an in depth understanding ultrasound machine instrumentation.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
A. List all of the components of an ultrasound system.
B. Describe the function of the master synchronizer.
C. Describe the function of the transducer.
D. Describe the functions of the pulser.
E. State each of the pulser modes and the differences between them.
F. State the functions of the receiver.
G. List the receiver functions in order of operation.
H. Describe each of the receiver functions.
I. State whether or not the sonographer controls a receiver function.
J. Describe the different types of display devices.
K. State the importance of the scan converter.
L. Describe the different forms of scan converters and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
M. Describe the differences between pre-processing and post-processing.
N. Define the following terms.
1. Pixel
2. Matrix
3. Pixel Density
4. Bit
5. Byte
6. RAM
7. ROM
O. Determine the shades of gray that a particular system can display based on the number of bits per pixel.
P. Describe the procedure for converting between analog and digital signals.
Q. Describe the differences between read and write magnification.
R. Describe the affect of pixel density on display quality.
S. Define contrast enhancement.
T. Describe the differences that exist between the various forms of contrast enhancement.
U. Describe the various forms of storage media.
V. Convert numbers from decimal to binary notation.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE: II. The student will demonstrate an in depth understanding ultrasound artifacts.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
A. Define artifact.
B. Describe reasons why artifacts are created.
C. List the basic assumptions of acoustic imaging systems.
D. Describe the various types of artifacts.
1. Resolution artifacts
2. Acoustic speckle
3. Slice thickness artifacts
4. Refraction
5. Reverberation
6. Comet tail
7. Mirror image
8. Multipath
9. Side lobes
10. Grating lobes
11. Shadowing
12. Enhancement
13. Propagation speed errors
14. Aliasing
GENERAL OBJECTIVE: III. The student will demonstrate an in depth understanding ultrasound quality assurance.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
A. Define quality assurance.
B. List the four requirements for quality assurance programs.
C. State the goals of a quality assurance program.
D. Describe the devices that the sonographer uses for quality assurance measurements.
1. AIUM 100 mm test object
2. Tissue equivalent (TE) phantom
3. Doppler phantom
4. Beam profile / Slice thickness phantom
5. Hydrophone
E. Describe the various performance measurements for an ultrasound system.
1. Sensitivity
2. Registration accuracy
3. Vertical depth calibration (Range accuracy)
4. Horizontal calibration
5. Dead zone
6. Focal zone
7. Longitudinal resolution
8. Lateral resolution
9. Uniformity
10. Mock cysts / tumors
11. Gray scale dynamic range
F. Describe the various tools used for output measurements of an ultrasound system.
1. Hydrophone
2. Acoustic-optics
3. Radiation force balance
4. Calorimeter
5. Thermocouple
6. Cholesteric liquid crystals
GENERAL OBJECTIVE: IV. The student will demonstrate an in depth understanding of the bioeffects and safety issues of ultrasound.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
A. Define Dosimetry.
B. Describe the approaches to the study of bioeffects.
1. Mechanistic approach
2. Empirical approach
C. Describe the mechanisms of bioeffects in ultrasound.
1. Thermal
2. Cavitation
a. Stable
b. Transient
D. Define Epidemiology.
E. Describe the differences between "In Vivo" and "In Vitro" investigations.
F. State the maximum allowable intensities for focused and unfocused ultrasound systems.
G. Review the various statements from the AIUM on safety in the clinical use of ultrasound.
H. Describe the various electrical and mechanical hazards that exist in the use of ultrasound equipment.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE: V. The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of harmonic imaging.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
A. Describe situations where you would use harmonic imaging.
B. Describe why harmonic imaging will, in many cases, improve image quality.
C. Describe the basic principles behind harmonic imaging.
Course Prerequisites
SO214 - Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation I
SO216 - Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation II
Grading Policy
96-100% = A+ .......... 4.0 quality points
90- 95% = A ........... 4.0 quality points
86- 89% = B+ .......... 3.5 quality points
80- 85% = B ........... 3.0 quality points
76- 79% = C+ .......... 2.5 quality points
70- 75% = C ........... 2.0 quality points
60- 69% = D ........... 1.0 quality points
< 60% = F ........... 0.0 quality points
Attendance Policy
Participation in this course, and therefore attendance, are important for several reasons. First, materials on your examinations and quizzes will not all come from the readings. You are responsible for material from lecture and lab. Second, your exams require understanding beyond just information alone; they require synthesis of information, and notes only record information. Although some portion of the exams will test your mastery of information, a portion of the exam will go beyond information to require that you are able to articulate your understanding of the content you have studied. There will be discussions held in class and lab that will help with this. If it sounds like your attendance is important, it is. Instructors will put a great deal of effort into teaching your class and expect your effort in return.
This class runs for seven (7) weeks. Two of these weeks are in-class exams and attendance is mandatory. Failure to attend class on the Mid Term date (23 September) or the Final Exam date (21 October) will result in a zero for the respective exam unless pre-approved by faculty. Attendance will be taken for the other 5 class dates with attendees receiving 10 points per date allowing for 50 total points for attendance.
Academic Integrity
Fundamental to our mission, our core values, and our reputation, Nebraska Methodist College adheres to high academic standards. Students of NMC are expected to conduct themselves in a manner reflecting personal and professional integrity. Academic honesty is fundamental to the integrity of professionals. Disciplinary actions may be taken against students whose academic behavior is not congruent with the expectations of the College. Students are responsible for adhering to the standards detailed in this policy. Not being familiar with these standards does not mean that the students will not be accountable for adherence to them. At a minimum, NMC expects that a student will complete any assignment, examination, or other academic endeavor with the utmost honesty, which requires the student to:
- Acknowledge and adhere to the expectations and guidelines in the syllabus or instructions on assessments as determined by the faculty member
- Acknowledge the contributions of other sources to their scholastic efforts
- Complete all academic work independently unless otherwise instructed by faculty
- Follow instructions for assignments and examinations as determined by faculty
- Avoid engaging in any form of academic dishonesty on behalf of themselves or another student
- Ask faculty for clarification if there are any questions. Additional details on the NMC’s policy for violating academic integrity are published on the college website
http://www.methodistcollege.edu/about/policies-and-guidelines/academic-policies
Disability Policy
Reasonable academic accommodations are provided for students who have documented disabilities and have met sufficiently in advance with the NMC Academic Skills Specialist Clark 1230, ext. 7214) to develop a written plan. It is the student's responsibility to notify the college of need for accommodations. Accommodations cannot be granted retroactively, and late notification of need does not excuse the student from work already completed in the course.
Miscellaneous
Classroom Conduct and Civility
The instructor will conduct this class in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The instructor encourages active participation in class discussions. We may have strongly differing opinions on the various topics of class discussions. The conflict of ideas is encouraged and welcome. The orderly questioning of the ideas of others, including the instructor, is similarly welcome. However, the instructor will exercise their responsibility to manage the discussions so that ideas and arguments can proceed in an orderly fashion. You should expect that if your conduct during class discussions seriously disrupts the atmosphere of mutual respect, you will not be permitted to participate further.
There are certain basic standards of classroom civility that should be adhered to. Civility does not eliminate appropriate humor, enjoyment, or other features of a comfortable and pleasant classroom community. Classroom civility does, however, include the following:
1. Displaying respect for all members of the classroom community, both your instructor and fellow students.
2. Attentiveness to and participation in lectures, group activities, workshops, and other classroom exercises.
3. Avoidance of unnecessary disruptions during class such as private conversations, reading campus newspapers, ringing cell phones, and doing work for other classes.
4. Avoidance of racist, sexist, homophobic, or other negative language that may unnecessarily exclude members of our campus and classroom community.
These features of classroom civility do not comprise an exhaustive list. Rather, they represent the minimal sort of behaviors that help to make the classroom a pleasant place for all concerned. Those students who do not behave in a civil fashion will be asked to leave class.
Technical Support
NMC HELP email address: nmchelp@methodistcollege.edu or call the NMC HELP line at 402-354-7008. The appropriate person will respond to you. Please note:
• If you need assistance after hours (after 4:30 M-F or weekends) email is the best form of communication.
• If you have ANGEL, Network (logging into a computer on campus) or Email password issues you will still need to contact the Methodist Health System IT Help Desk at 402-354-2280 or support@nmhs.org
• IQ Web Password issues would go to NMC HELP
Syllabus Revisions
The standards and requirements set forth in this syllabus may be modified at any time by the course instructor. Notice of such changes will be by announcement in class, or by written or email notice, or by posting on the course website.
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