Understanding the Role of Ultrasound Gel in Effective Doppler Procedures

ultrasound gel used to perform an ultrasound on a pregnant woman

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Every 33 seconds, a person dies owing to heart attack, thromboembolism, and atherosclerosis, among other diseases. If these conditions are diagnosed at an earlier stage followed by proper management, many lives can be saved. For this purpose, several diagnostic procedures have been developed in recent times to make a detection of different diseases. One such method is Doppler ultrasound which is an imaging procedure done by applying ultrasound gel on the skin. Let us dive into details about what Doppler is and how important is the use of ultrasound gel during the technique.

What is Doppler Ultrasound?

A Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure performed to visualize the circulation of blood through the heart and blood vessels. For this purpose, sound waves are used which can detect both the direction as well as the speed of blood flow into the circulatory system. As ultrasounds are neither harmful for the body nor cause pain, the process of Doppler ultrasound is completely safe.

Who Needs a Doppler Ultrasound?

Usually, healthcare providers recommend a Doppler ultrasound for the diagnosis of the following:

● Post-surgical estimation of blood flow

● Assessment of blood flow from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy

● Injuries to the blood vessels

● Thromboembolism i.e. the presence of localized or free-floating blood clots

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

● Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

● Atherosclerosis i.e. narrowing of arteries or veins

● Presence of tumors in blood vessels

● Evaluation of the blood supply to a transplanted organ such as kidney, liver, or pancreas

Ultrasound is being performed on a pregnant lady with the help of ultrasound gel
Ultrasound is being performed on a pregnant lady with the help of ultrasound gel

How is Doppler Ultrasound Performed?

To perform Doppler ultrasound, the given steps are to be followed:

● The patient is asked to lie down straight in a way that exposing the area to ultrasound is easy.

● The area should be cleaned before the procedure.

● A water-soluble ultrasound gel is placed either on the skin or on the handheld transducer.

● The transducer is held on the skin and gently pressed. This step is followed by the passage of ultrasound waves through the arteries and veins.

● As a result, an image of the internal body is obtained on a computer.

● Once the process has been completed, the transducer is detached from the skin surface and the area is wiped to remove the ultrasound gel.

Use of Ultrasound Gel in Doppler Procedures

While conducting a Doppler test, the first step is to apply a suitable gel. A sonographer cleans the skin on which the Doppler ultrasound is to be performed. A small amount of the ultrasound gel is applied onto the skin.

The aim of this application is to facilitate the gliding movement of the ultrasound probe or transducer over the skin. Moreover, the ultrasound gel also eases the traveling of sound waves into the body tissues thus making the imaging process quick and easy. 

Ultrasound Gels: Brands and Specifications

Several brands manufacture and market different kinds of ultrasound gels to couple with Doppler scans. All of these, despite being of good quality, vary from each other based on their texture, composition, and viscosity.

Here are some of the products that are often preferred by sonographers as well as patients owing to their efficiency and skin-friendly texture. Let us take a look:

Parker Scanpac Ultrasound Gel

Parker Scanpac ultrasound gel is a water-based product that is employed prior to performing a Doppler ultrasound. It is non-irritant to the skin and does not leave stains on the clothes. The composition of the Scanpac ultrasound gel is such that it neither hinders the procedure nor the results.

Moreover, the equipment is also not negatively impacted by the use of gel. The Parker Scanpac ultrasound gel is also bacteriostatic as well as hypoallergenic in nature. Chemical agents such as formaldehyde are not present in the product. In addition, the dual viscosity of the gel allows the product to be used as a gel as well as a fluid depending upon the purpose of its use.

Parker Labs Signagel Tube

Signagel electrode gel 15-60 by Parker Labs is also a gel-based product that can be used with multiple instruments including ultrasound probes. It comes in a 60 g (2 ounces) packaging and is highly conductive in nature.

It is easy to apply to the skin and uncomplicated to remove once the job is done. The texture of the product is non-greasy and does not irritate the skin. Being bacteriostatic, the product itself restricts the occurrence of an infection. Moreover, the gel is also fragrant which feels pleasant.

Pocket-size Doppler ultrasound device
Pocket-size Doppler ultrasound device

The ultrasound gel mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the Parker Scanpac ultrasound gel on the website.

Conclusion

Cardiovascular disorders are responsible for several deaths among the US population. These disorders include those related to the heart and the blood vessels. If go undiagnosed and unmanaged, such patients slowly creep towards death which, in some cases, happens suddenly and the patient does not even get a chance to avail of emergency medical treatment.

Doppler ultrasound is one of the important diagnostic techniques in which ultrasound gel is employed for imaging the body non-invasively. Having near to no side effects, the use of ultrasound gels is known to facilitate several diagnostic procedures and thus is extremely important in hospital settings.

To purchase these ultrasound gels along with other medical devices, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be preferred as they ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

Click to Order Ultrasound Gel from Health Supply 770

Parker Scanpac Ultrasound Gel

Parker Labs Signagel Tube

References

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

Uzma Zafar

Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.

Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.

Throughout her career, Uzma has actively contributed to the pharmaceutical sciences, with specific research on suspension formulation and Hepatitis C risk factors and side effects. Additionally, Uzma has lent her expertise to review and fact-check articles for the Health Supply 770 blog, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information presented.

As she continues her PhD, expected to complete in 2025, Uzma is eager to contribute further to the field by combining her deep knowledge of pharmaceutics with real-world applications to meet global professional standards and challenges.