4d and 3d scans - www.babyultrasound.co.uk
The method know as three dimensional ultrasound is used in early pregnancy, it provides 3d images of the fetus. Most of the time these images are collected and combined to make a 4d ultrasound scan.
Three dimensional scans works in a similar manner to the traditional ultrasound except that the ultrasound scanning waves can be sent from multiple directions. The ultrasound waves are redirected back then captured to provide info to construct a 3d image in in the same way as 3d movies. 3 dimesional ultasound scanning was first developed by olaf von ramm and stephen smith in america.
It is important to understand that sonologists all over the world always pictured 3d pictures of the body in their minds while doing 2d scans. However, until recently it was impossible to do this type of reconstruction on on data using ultasound scanning. The advent of 4d baby scans for the first time allowed us a peek into the brain of a sonologist and so letting us see the images on the ultrasound machine.
3d imaging should utilize ultrasound energy following the same limits as conventional 2d ultrasound to create the 3d images. There is no data to suggest any harm due to 3d ultasound scanning, its use in non-medical situations needs to be undertaken with the understanding of the risks.
