A hydrophone is an instrument used to measure:

A hydrophone is designed to measure acoustic output in ultrasound systems. It operates by detecting sound waves in water or another medium, allowing for the assessment of the intensity, frequency, and waveform characteristics of ultrasound emissions. This capability is essential for evaluating how ultrasound equipment performs, ensuring safety, efficacy, and compliance with regulatory standards.

When measuring acoustic output, hydrophones can help determine the output power and intensity levels, which are crucial for clinical applications. The hydrophone's sensitivity and frequency response allow it to capture various aspects of sound waves produced by ultrasound transducers.

Cavitation, thermal index, and mechanical index are related to ultrasound interactions and safety but do not pertain specifically to the function of a hydrophone. Cavitation refers to the formation of bubbles in a liquid due to pressure fluctuations; the thermal index relates to the potential for heating in tissues; and the mechanical index describes the likelihood of mechanical effects like cavitation occurring during ultrasound exposure. However, these metrics are not directly measured by a hydrophone, which focuses solely on the characterization of acoustic output.