What essential physiological dimension did Doppler ultrasound add to anatomical imaging?
Answer
Measurement of blood flow
While A-mode, B-mode, and M-mode provided valuable information regarding structure, position, and motion over time, Doppler ultrasound introduced a vital layer of physiological data previously unobtainable through standard echo principles. Doppler technology utilizes the frequency shift of returning echoes caused by moving targets—in this case, moving blood cells—to calculate the velocity and direction of flow within blood vessels. By adding the measurement of blood flow, ultrasound systems gained the ability to assess hemodynamics, which is fundamental for diagnosing vascular conditions and assessing cardiac function beyond simple structural observation.
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