Early use of ultrasound for a medical purpose

October 28, 2011

One of the first uses of ultrasonic energy applied for medical diagnostic purposes was by Dr. George D. Ludwig at the Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland in 1947-1949, and subsequently at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He demonstrated thatgallbladder stones could be detected by an ultrasonic echo method using A mode metal flaw detectors and naval sonar. The documentation of Dr. Ludwig's research came by way of his daughter, Rosemary Ludwig Turner.

One of the first uses of ultrasonic energy applied for medical diagnostic purposes was by Dr. George D. Ludwig at the Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland in 1947-1949, and subsequently at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He demonstrated that gallbladder stones could be detected by an ultrasonic echo method using A mode metal flaw detectors and naval sonar. The documentation of Dr. Ludwig's research came by way of his daughter, Rosemary Ludwig Turner.

References:

For more on the history of medical sonography in the United States see:

http://www.aium.org/aboutAIUM/timeline/1950.asp

Craig M: Essentials of Sonography and Patient Care, 2nd ED. W.B. Saunders 2006; p. 4-5

submitted by: Terry J. DuBose, M.S., RDMS, FSDMS, FAIUM

Associate Professor & Director

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, CHRP