Doppler gel is used to lubricate the transducer during an ultrasound procedure, allowing for easy movement and clearer images. It can be thick or thin and is often cold when applied to the skin. The gel is safe for both mother and baby during pregnancy and is also used with fetal dopplers.
Doppler gel, also commonly known as ultrasound gel, is the substance used to lubricate an instrument called a transducer or camera during an ultrasound procedure. Ultrasound is a medical imaging procedure that uses sound waves to capture images and internal structures of the body. Doppler gel is sprayed onto the surface of the imaged body part, allowing the technician to effortlessly slide the transducer over the body without friction.
Usually, the consistency of the Doppler gel is determined by the sonographer. The texture of the gel does not affect image quality. The gel can be thick or thin in consistency and can be colorless, blue, or green. The one quality of Doppler gel that many patients remember is that it feels very cold when sprayed on the body. Most of the time, the professional ultrasound technician warns the patient about the coldness of the gel beforehand, so they know what to expect. Some institutions have gel warmers that can raise the temperature of the substance before it is applied to the patient, thus decreasing the sudden jolt of the cold gel.
In general, in addition to being cold, ultrasound gel is not an uncomfortable component for the medical imaging procedure. Once applied to the skin, it stays put, without dripping. The Doppler gel will remain on the skin surface until it is physically removed after the ultrasound procedure is complete.
In addition to providing a hospitable transducer surface, gel Doppler also eliminates any air that could be between the transducer and skin so that ultrasound or sound waves can move freely. Typically, ultrasound is unable to ascertain structures when they are close to the skin surface. When a thick layer of Doppler gel is applied, it allows for a large distance from the camera to the structure, which allows for a sharper image.
Ultrasound is often used in obstetrics to obtain images of the developing fetus. This procedure is considered safe because it does not use ionizing radiation to take fetal images. Just as ultrasound is considered safe during pregnancy, so is ultrasound gel. When the gel is applied to the mother’s abdomen, it can be absorbed by her skin. Fortunately, Doppler gel has been found to be safe and non-toxic to both mother and baby.
Ultrasound gel is also used in combination with a fetal doppler, a device that allows parents to listen to the heartbeat of the unborn baby. A doppler, like ultrasound, uses sound waves to capture sounds. The same gel is used regardless of whether the patient undergoes ultrasound or fetal Doppler studies.
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