Ultrasound Physics and EPIQ System Architecture

This course builds a foundation in acoustic wave propagation, pulse-echo imaging, Doppler principles, and the factors that determine ultrasound resolution. Students examine common artifacts and learn to distinguish imaging limitations from symptoms that may warrant technical investigation. Bioeffects instruction covers thermal and mechanical effects, output indicators, and the principle of keeping exposure as low as reasonably achievable. Using publicly available information and general engineering concepts, students explore major EPIQ subsystem roles, including transducers, transmit and receive electronics, beamforming, processing, display, power distribution, and cooling, while recognizing that configurations vary. Hands-on activities and a capstone emphasize noninvasive observations, image-quality analysis, and subsystem mapping; students must follow the manufacturer’s service documentation for model-specific procedures and safety requirements. Anode Technical Institute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized by Philips or Medtronic, and this course is not factory training.

InstructorJacob Calhoun

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Lesson 1: Ultrasound Fundamentals and Service-Technician Scopelecture

02Lesson 2: Acoustic Wave Propagation, Impedance, Reflection, and Attenuationlecture

03Lesson 3: Pulse-Echo Imaging, Transducer Arrays, and Beam Formationlecture

04Lesson 4: Hands-on Lab: Acoustic Calculations and Echo Timinglab

05Lesson 5: Axial, Lateral, Elevational, and Temporal Resolutionlecture

06Lesson 6: Doppler Physics, Flow Measurement, and Sampling Limitslecture

07Lesson 7: Common Ultrasound Artifacts and Image-Quality Clueslecture

08Lesson 8: Hands-on Lab: Resolution and Artifact Analysis & Midterm Reviewlab

09Lesson 9: Ultrasound Bioeffects, Output Indicators, and Exposure Reductionlecture

10Lesson 10: EPIQ Architecture: Transducer Interfaces, Signal Acquisition, and Processinglecture

11Lesson 11: Hands-on Lab: Noninvasive EPIQ Subsystem and Signal-Path Mappinglab

12Lesson 12: Cart Power Distribution, Electrical Safety, and Thermal Managementlecture

13Lesson 13: EPIQ User Interface, Display Functions, and Workflowlecture

14Lesson 14: Capstone Project: EPIQ Architecture Map and Image-Quality Case Analysisassignment

Syllabus

["Week 1: Lesson 1: Ultrasound Fundamentals and Service-Technician Scope", "Week 2: Lesson 2: Acoustic Wave Propagation, Impedance, Reflection, and Attenuation", "Week 3: Lesson 3: Pulse-Echo Imaging, Transducer Arrays, and Beam Formation", "Week 4: Lesson 4: Hands-on Lab: Acoustic Calculations and Echo Timing", "Week 5: Lesson 5: Axial, Lateral, Elevational, and Temporal Resolution", "Week 6: Lesson 6: Doppler Physics, Flow Measurement, and Sampling Limits", "Week 7: Lesson 7: Common Ultrasound Artifacts and Image-Quality Clues", "Week 8: Lesson 8: Hands-on Lab: Resolution and Artifact Analysis & Midterm Review", "Week 9: Lesson 9: Ultrasound Bioeffects, Output Indicators, and Exposure Reduction", "Week 10: Lesson 10: EPIQ Architecture: Transducer Interfaces, Signal Acquisition, and Processing", "Week 11: Lesson 11: Hands-on Lab: Noninvasive EPIQ Subsystem and Signal-Path Mapping", "Week 12: Lesson 12: Cart Power Distribution, Electrical Safety, and Thermal Management", "Week 13: Lesson 13: EPIQ User Interface, Display Functions, and Workflow", "Week 14: Lesson 14: Capstone Project: EPIQ Architecture Map and Image-Quality Case Analysis"]