Tools and Programs Used by Sonographers

 The tools and programs used by sonographers aretissues as possible.
somewhat complex, and they can be very dangerous6. Radio-Isotope Scan or Nuclear Scintigraphy: These
in the wrong hands because of the radiation that mayradioactive compounds enter into specific tissues to
be involved. This is why specialized training andhelp produce scan results for diagnoses.
certification is required before you can become a7. Interventional Radiology: When medical professionals
radiographer, sonographer or ultrasound technician.need to perform minimally invasive surgeries like
Students begin using these tools and programs whileangioplasty under radiological imaging, they use this
they are getting their education, and by the time theymethod.
become certified and begin working in the field they8. Echocardiography Machine: This tool helps to
should be more than prepared to handle themperform heart sonography when medical professionals
correctly with patients present.need to understand the function of the patient's heart.
Following are some of the most important tools and9. Linear Accelerator: These are used for radiotherapy
programs used by sonographers, radiographers orof cancer patients by oncologists.
ultrasound technicians:      10. Positron Emission Tomography machine (aka PET
1. X-Ray Machine: This machine produces images ofscan): This is used in nuclear medicine to produce
structures within the body of a patient to diagnosethree-dimensional color images of body functional
illness and create treatment plans.processes.
2. Contrast Media for X-rays: When medical11. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine
professionals need to produce high contrast images of(aka FMRI): This machine is used for a specialized MRI.
the details of viscera, they use these mediums.12. Brachytherapy Apparatus: This apparatus
3. Ultrasonography Machine: This machine alsodispenses medication from an implanted device,
produces images of the inside of the body.especially during cancer treatment.
4. Computer Axial Tomography Scan (also known as13. SPECT Scan: Single photon emission computed
a CT scan or CAT scan): This is another machine thattomography is an imaging technique that shows how
creates visual images from inside the body, but unlikeblood flows to tissues and organs.
other machines it shows them in horizontal slices.The tools and programs used by sonographers must
5. Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine (also knownbe used properly to safely get the correct results - this
as MRI): These are stronger machines that are usedis why such specialized training is required for this
when medical professionals need to excite protons tocareer.
record results with the clearest images of particular