Ultrasound Image GenerationThe image produced by an ultrasound machine begins with thetransducer. In ultrasound imaging, the transducer has a dual function as a sender and a receiver. Sound waves are created in short pulses and transmitted into the body and are then at least partially reflected. Reflected mechanical sound waves are received by the transducer and converted back into electrical energy. The transducer acts as a receiver more than 99% of the time. The electrical energy is converted by the ultrasound machine to an image displayed on a monitor (Fig. 3-5).