Ultrasonic cold gel: what it is and why we need it
Some of the most exciting moments of any pregnancy are ultrasound examinations-the chance to see your baby develop in your body! But why do we have to experience a cold, sticky, and slimy feeling every time we have an ultrasound examination? Sonographers are not trying to torture us by applying ultrasonic cold gel to our skin before surgery; in fact, this is necessary in order to produce clear ultrasound images.
Why do we need it?
Sound waves cannot propagate well in the air. Although you might think that there is no air when the probe is on the skin, small hairs and dry skin will contain many small air pockets. Ultrasonic cold gel is used as a connector to eliminate air and form a bond between the ultrasound probe and the skin. It can also reduce or eliminate static electricity. This conductive material allows sound waves to travel directly to the tissues under the skin, allowing us to obtain clear ultrasound images of the organs of interest. Ultrasonic cold gel is a conductive medium that establishes a connection between the skin and the ultrasound transducer. Ultrasound is difficult to spread in the air, so Ultrasonic Cold Gel prevents any excess air space between the probe and the skin to create a clear image of the fetus. This is why the mother is also required to have an ultrasound examination with a full bladder in the early stages of pregnancy. Between your intact bladder and the ultrasound gel as a couplant, the technician will be able to show a clear ultrasound image of your baby. The more ultrasound cold gel we use, the better our clear ultrasound image. Therefore, although ultrasound can be cumbersome, ultrasound is an excellent tool for imaging young patients.
What is this thing?
Ultrasonic cold gel is a viscous substance composed of water and propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is a synthetic compound commonly found in food, cosmetics or sanitary products. It is sticky and can be applied on the skin without dripping or running off. The shelf life of ultrasonic cold gel is 5 years; however, in order to control infection, it is recommended to use it within 28 days after opening the bottle. In the ultrasound department, we will write the expiration date of each bottle immediately after opening. Next time when the ultrasonic cold gel touches your skin, you will feel cringe; just think that more ultrasonic cold gel will produce a better clear ultrasound image! The gel is composed of water and propylene glycol, and its formula can reduce overall static electricity. Many people notice that ultrasound cold gel tends to be thick and sticky, but it needs to have a sticky texture so that it does not drip from your skin when the sonographer performs an ultrasound examination.
Why must it be so cold?
The most common complaint about ultrasonic cold gel is not how sticky it is, but how cold it is! This can be easily solved by using an ultrasonic cold gel heater before surgery. Next time you go in for an ultrasound examination, ask the sonographer to heat the ultrasound cold gel. There are many types of ultrasonic cold gels available in EK, including hypoallergenic varieties. Looking forward to your visit!
Tags: Ultrasonic cold gel, ultrasound examination, clear ultrasound image
