What is the outcome of increased acoustic power in ultrasound imaging?

Increased acoustic power in ultrasound imaging significantly leads to increased patient heating. This occurs because higher acoustic power results in more energy being transmitted into the body, which can lead to a rise in temperature within the tissues being imaged. While some tissues can dissipate this heat effectively, excessive heating can raise concerns regarding patient safety, especially if the exposure is prolonged.

The increase in acoustic power does not directly enhance lateral resolution. Lateral resolution is primarily influenced by the characteristics of the ultrasound beam and transducer design rather than just increased power. Additionally, lesions or noise in the imaging process could potentially increase with higher power transmission, leading to more image artifacts instead of fewer. Though stronger acoustic signals can penetrate deeper, this does not directly correlate with a longer imaging depth, as the overall imaging depth is also affected by frequency and tissue characteristics.