What does the duty factor indicate in pulsated sound?

The duty factor in pulsated sound is defined as the ratio of the pulse duration to the total time of the pulse repetition period. This parameter provides insight into how much of the time the ultrasound system is actively transmitting sound waves versus how much time it is in the receiving or idle state.

A duty factor of 1 (or 100%) means that the ultrasound system is continuously transmitting, while a duty factor less than 1 indicates that there are intervals when no sound is transmitted. This is particularly important in applications like diagnostic imaging, where the system switches between sending and receiving echoes to create an image.

Understanding the duty factor is crucial for optimizing image quality and for ensuring that the ultrasound machine operates within safe parameters, as it influences factors such as energy deposition and tissue heating.