For imaging, what must the duty factor be?

The duty factor in ultrasound imaging refers to the percentage of time that the ultrasound system is actively transmitting sound waves compared to the time it is in a standby or receiving mode. For effective imaging, the duty factor must be between 0% and 100%.

A duty factor of 0% would mean that the system is never transmitting, which would render imaging impossible since no sound waves would be emitted to create an image. Conversely, a duty factor greater than 100% is not physically feasible, as it would imply that the system is transmitting sound waves more than continuously, which contradicts the definitions of duty cycle.

Therefore, having a duty factor between 0% and 100% allows for a balanced approach where energy is effectively used during transmission while also accommodating the necessary receive time for echo processing. This balance is crucial for creating quality images in sonography.