Which type of ultrasound modality uses harmonic imaging to improve image quality?

Harmonic imaging is a technique used in ultrasound to enhance image quality by utilizing the nonlinear propagation of ultrasound waves. This method takes advantage of harmonic frequencies, which are multiples of the fundamental frequency generated by the ultrasound transducer. When sound waves travel through the body, they can distort; harmonic imaging aims to capture these higher frequency harmonics rather than the fundamental frequency, allowing for improved resolution, contrast, and reduced artifacts.

In the case of 2D ultrasound, this modality uses harmonic imaging extensively to provide clearer, more detailed images of the structures being scanned. The technique enhances the visibility of subtle differences in tissue and can help in identifying pathology with greater precision.

Other modalities like 3D ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound, and color ultrasound serve different purposes. For instance, while 3D ultrasound creates three-dimensional representations of structures, it does not specifically focus on the enhancement of image quality through harmonic imaging. Doppler ultrasound is primarily used to assess blood flow and velocity, and color ultrasound is an extension of Doppler methods that visualizes blood flow patterns but also doesn’t utilize harmonic imaging as a main feature for improving image quality in the same way that 2D ultrasound does.