Diagnostic techniques using ultrasound have now become established in a number of medical disciplines and there are many research projects under way to expand further the areas of application. The publication of this book, which is the first comprehensive treatise on the technical aspects of the subject, occurs therefore at a most opportune time. This publication also coincides with a recent increase in the types of commercially available equipment.
The introductory chapter summarizes the basic physics associated with diagnostic ultrasonics. Apart from a section on absorption in biological materials, the topics are familiar and consist of those normally discussed in the first chapter of books on applied acoustics. Transducers of the design used in pulse-echo systems are studied in chapter 2 which contains many references for the reader requiring more detail. Ultrasonic fields and methods of measuring intensity are considered in chapter 3. A substantial part of the whole text is taken up by chapter 4 where an account is presented of the instrumentation employed in the various pulse-echo techniques . Many clinical applications are also referred to in this section and the technical reader can gain an appreciation of the diversity of the applications although many of them are not firmly established. Instruments and methods which utilize the Doppler effect are reviewed in chapter 5. Due to the relative cheapness of Doppler units, they are becoming increasingly popular and this review wiII provide a useful introduction. Chapter 6 outlines some miscellaneous techniques including ultrasonic holography and the problems related to it. The state ofknowledge as regards the possibility of hazard is contained in a short final chapter.
This work has a continuity and depth which one would expect from an author who has made many contributions to the field over the last decade. A thorough treatment is given to the subject matter and there is a large number of references to original papers which are scattered throughout many journals. Only two mild criticisms can be ventured concerning this book. First, the difficulties connected with diagnostic ultrasonics have been underemphasized and this could lead to an expectation of instant results. Secondly, although the author points out some possible regions for future studies, one feels at this juncture that a complete chapter on current trends in the development of equipment would have been particularly useful.
In conclusion it may be said that this volume will be of undisputed value to physicists and engineers working in diagnostic ultrasonics. Medically trained persons will also find it a useful reference book.
N. McDICKEN