What are the two basic components of pulse ultrasound?

The fundamental elements of pulse ultrasound are primarily the transmit time and receive time, where the system alternates between sending and receiving sound waves. During the transmit time, the transducer emits ultrasound pulses which travel through the body and reflect off structures back to the transducer. During the receive time, the system processes the returning echoes to construct an image based on the time it took for the echoes to return and their amplitude.

This distinction allows for the creation of detailed images of internal structures while ensuring that the equipment can adequately interpret the returning signals. Understanding these components is crucial for grasping how ultrasound technology works, as each phase is essential for accurate imaging and diagnosis.