In clinical imaging duty factor ranges from ________ or _______.

In clinical imaging duty factor ranges from ________ or _______.

• A. 0.02 to 0.05
• B. 0.2% to 0.5%
• C. 0.002 to 0.005
• D. 2% to 5%

Answer: (C)

Duty factor is the fraction of time the ultrasound beam is actively emitting during each pulse–repetition cycle. In diagnostic imaging it’s kept very small to minimize energy delivery and tissue heating while still enabling image formation. The typical range is about a few thousandths, specifically around 0.002 to 0.005, which means the beam is on for roughly 0.2% to 0.5% of each cycle. This range can be written either as a decimal (0.002 to 0.005) or as a percent (0.2% to 0.5%), which is why both forms are used. The higher value range (0.02 to 0.05, or 2% to 5%) would indicate much more time with the beam on and isn’t representative of standard clinical imaging.

Duty factor is the fraction of time the ultrasound beam is actively emitting during each pulse–repetition cycle. In diagnostic imaging it’s kept very small to minimize energy delivery and tissue heating while still enabling image formation. The typical range is about a few thousandths, specifically around 0.002 to 0.005, which means the beam is on for roughly 0.2% to 0.5% of each cycle. This range can be written either as a decimal (0.002 to 0.005) or as a percent (0.2% to 0.5%), which is why both forms are used. The higher value range (0.02 to 0.05, or 2% to 5%) would indicate much more time with the beam on and isn’t representative of standard clinical imaging.