Is the duty factor adjustable?

The duty factor, which is the ratio of the transmit time to the total time (transmit time plus receive time), reflects the percentage of time a system is actively transmitting ultrasound pulses versus the total time of the cycle.

In diagnostic ultrasound, the duty factor is adjustable because it can be influenced by changing the pulse duration and the listening time. By employing different imaging techniques and adjusting transducer settings—like changing the pulse repetition frequency or the width of the transmitted pulse—sonographers can effectively modify the duty factor to optimize imaging based on clinical requirements.

This flexibility is crucial in various clinical situations, allowing practitioners to tailor ultrasound imaging based on the desired resolution, depth of penetration, and specific patient conditions. Therefore, the assertion that the duty factor is always adjustable is accurate within the context of these practices.