If the duty factor is decreased, what is the expected effect on imaging?

When the duty factor is decreased, it results in a longer listening time compared to the emitting time. This adjustment primarily affects the pulse repetition frequency and the overall imaging depth.

As the duty factor decreases, the system allows more time for returning echoes to be processed and interpreted. This extended listening period enables the ultrasound system to gather information from deeper structures within the body. Consequently, the associated imaging becomes deeper because the ultrasound pulses can penetrate further into the tissue before the system begins to send out more pulses.

In clinical practice, adjustments to the duty factor can optimize imaging for specific depth requirements. Therefore, if the duty factor is decreased, the expected effect is to enhance the ability to visualize deeper anatomical structures, making deeper imaging possible.