In pulsed wave ultrasound, what is the typical duty factor?

In pulsed wave ultrasound, the duty factor refers to the proportion of time that the ultrasound system is actively transmitting sound waves compared to the total time. A typical duty factor in pulsed wave ultrasound ranges from 1% to 5%. This low duty cycle is crucial for allowing sufficient time for the system to receive echoes from the tissue before emitting new pulses.

When the duty factor is this low, it ensures that there is a balance between transmission and reception, minimizing potential overlap of transmitted and reflected signals, which can interfere with the clarity and accuracy of the images produced.

In contrast, a duty factor of 100% would mean the system is continuously transmitting, which is characteristic of continuous wave ultrasound, not pulsed wave. A 50% duty factor would imply that an equal amount of time is spent in transmission and reception, which is not typical for pulsed wave systems. Similarly, a duty factor of 10% is higher than the typical range for pulsed wave ultrasound. Hence, the range of 1% to 5% accurately represents the operational characteristics of pulsed wave ultrasound systems.