The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has released two standards for ultrasound users who want to measure the performance of their equipment.
UD 2-2004, Acoustic Output Measurement Standard for Diagnostic Ultrasound Equipment, describes a set of measurement procedures for ultrasonic output parameters, according to the Rosslyn, VA-based trade association. NEMA said the standard achieves this objective by precisely defining quantities, primarily those relating to acoustic output levels, and specifying standard procedures for measuring them.
The standard's appendix A was revised to include discussions of the one-sided tolerance limit for normal distributions, type A and type B uncertainty specifications, and multiple console/transducer combinations for a particular model.
The association has also updated UD 3-2004, Standard for Real-Time Display of Thermal and Mechanical Acoustic Output Indices on Diagnostic Ultrasound Equipment. That standard allows users to monitor acoustic output display in real-time during the course of an ultrasound examination, gaining information intended to minimize patient exposure to ultrasound while maximizing diagnostic information and ease of use, NEMA said.
The standard was revised to include discussions of how equipment will display the best estimate of the mean index values. A description of the display uncertainty will be included in the operator's instruction manual.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
September 24, 2004
Related Reading
NEMA launches new Web site, April 15, 2004
NEMA releases gamma probe standard, March 4, 2004
NEMA issues white paper on 'malicious software,' February 6, 2004
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![Examples of ultrasound findings and techniques. (A) Images in a 39-year-old male patient with a mass in the left thigh. The mass is heterogeneous on the B-mode US image (compared with the patient in D) and showed increased microvascularity (superb microvascular imaging [SMI]) and shear-wave elastography (SWE) values. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy (with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in surgical specimen). (B) Images in an 18-year-old male patient with a mass in the left leg. The mass is hypoechoic on the B-mode image, with no other findings suggestive of malignancy. The lesion is in contact with the cortex of the tibia, which is slightly irregular. CT revealed a doubtful anteromedial tibial erosion. The microvascular study demonstrated high vascularization, suggestive of malignancy. Periosteal Ewing sarcoma was diagnosed with both histologic and immunohistochemical confirmation. (C) Images in a 69-year-old female patient with a lump growing on the outside of the left leg. Multiple SWE examinations were performed (please note the high values obtained in the measurements, whereas the color map highlights the stiffness relative to adjacent tissues). SMI showed areas of increased vascularization to target for sampling. Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with residual leiomyosarcoma in the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant therapy. (D) Images in a 56-year-old female patient with a mass in the right thigh. The mass is heterogeneous at both B-mode ultrasound (similar to patient A) and MRI (coronal T2-weighted spectral attenuated inversion recovery [SPAIR]; T1-weighted pre-contrast and postcontrast imaging), which even shows uptake after the administration of paramagnetic contrast material, which is traditionally suggestive of malignancy. Low values at SMI and elastography are suggestive of benignity. Spindle cell lipoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor in the surgical specimen.](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/08/images-radiol250278fig2.APCFLSvX6p.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
