Pressure
- Improves the image by reducing the distance to target structures through compression of subcutaneous tissues
- Can be sued to compress veins or move structures out of the way
- Care needs to be taken not to use excessive pressure which causes discomfort for the patient
Alignment
- Refers to the movement of the probe on the skin to move the target structure into the field of view
- Sliding the transducer through different alignments can be useful in tracing structures along their course to help with identification
Rotation
- Refers to the twisting of the prove to fine tube the view of a target structure
- Allows the true axial view of structures to be obtained
- Rotation through 90° can change an image from a long axis to a short axis view
Tilt
- Assists in bringing the face of the probe, and thus the direction of the ultrasound beam, into a perpendicular arrangement with the target structure
- This maximises waves reflected back to the probe and thus provides a better image