Which imaging mode translates echo intensity into cross-sectional visual maps?
Answer
B-mode (Brightness mode)
The transition from single-line displays (A-mode) to comprehensive anatomical mapping required the introduction of B-mode, or Brightness mode. This crucial development occurred throughout the late 1950s and 1960s and was essential for creating the familiar cross-sectional views of internal structures. B-mode functions by mapping the intensity, or brightness, of each returning echo onto a corresponding spot on a two-dimensional screen. When numerous individual echo readings taken from different beam positions are assembled, they form a composite image that represents the structure's cross-section. This marked a major leap from static depth readings to interpretable anatomical pictures.
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