Among different types of ultrasound transducers, Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) transducers are designed explicitly for heart diagnostics. In this blog, we’ll explore the critical features of TEE transducers, their role in medical imaging, and more!
An Introduction to Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) Transducers
TEE stands for Transesophageal Echocardiography, and TEE transducers are specialized devices designed to create detailed heart images. Unlike other types of ultrasound transducers, such as linear or convex probes, which provide a non-invasive method by being placed externally on the patient’s body, TEE is considered invasive because the transducer is inserted into the patient’s esophagus.
How Do TEE Transducers Work?
Different common non-invasive ways exist, such as Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE), where the transducer is placed on the chest externally, enabling doctors to visualize the heart’s structure and function in real-time using ultrasound technology. However, the probe should be inserted into the esophagus through the mouth with TEE transducers. That is because the esophagus is located close to the heart and provides doctors with a more detailed image of the heart without interference from the other tissues like ribs and lungs.
Here is a short brief of how the TEE procedure is done:
- First, when you visit for a TEE test, your provider will place electrodes (small stickers) on your chest to monitor your heart’s performance during the procedure.
- Before placing the TEE transducer into your esophagus, your throat should be numbed by gargling a special solution.
- Next, your provider will gently insert an endoscope, a long, thin, flexible tube, into your mouth.
- Once the TEE probe is positioned in your esophagus, capturing images of your heart will begin, which takes about 15 minutes.
What Are the Benefits of TEE Transducers?
Although the Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) transducer is considered an invasive method for capturing heart images and the TTE approach is often used for routine imaging, TEE offers key advantages in certain situations that make it unique compared to other methods.
1- Delivering More Detailed Images
TEE transducers are placed into the esophagus, which is located directly behind the heart. This option offers a more detailed image and provides a much closer view of heart structures than other echocardiography methods, such as TTE.
2- Providing Better Visualization of Complex Structure
In certain critical cases, like suspected endocarditis (infection of the heart valves), detailed images of specific heart structures are required, which TTE transducers may not adequately provide. TEE transducers play an important role by positioning the ultrasound probe closer to the heart via the esophagus.
3- Providing Real-Time Imaging During Surgery and Procedures
Another key benefit of TEE transducers is enabling doctors to see details like heart valve motion, blood flow, and possible abnormalities during surgery.
4- Advanced Features
Last but not least, some Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) transducers feature Doppler capabilities, which are used to measure the speed and direction of blood flow through the heart.
What Are the Medical Applications of Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) Transducers?
So far, we have discussed the importance of TEE transducers in today’s technology and highlighted their key characteristics. Now, here are four critical use cases and applications of TEE transducers in medical imaging:
Valvular Heart Disease
One important use case of TEE transducers is to detect infections of heart valves, known as endocarditis. These probes are commonly used when other methods, like transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), cannot detect vegetation, abscesses, or other abnormalities.
Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke
Another medical application of TEE transducers is to diagnose clots in the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation as well as patients who have experienced a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Cardiac Tumors
Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) can be used when tumors or other masses within the heart, such as myxomas, may not be adequately detected by TTE probes.
Aortic Dissections and Aneurysms
One crucial medical application of TEE transducers is identifying the thoracic aorta and aortic dissections or aneurysms that might be missed during the TTE methods.
What Are the Top Brands of Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) Transducers?
Here is a list of some of the most well-known and top brands of TEE transducers used in medical imaging:
- GE: Some popular GE brand TEE transducers are GE 6Tc-RS and GE 9T.
- Philips: Some popular Philips brand TEE transducers are Philips X7-2t and Philips S7-3t.
- Siemens: Some popular Siemens brand TEE transducers are Siemens Z6Ms and Siemens V5Ms.
- Samsung: Some popular Samsung brand TEE transducers are Samsung V7-3M and Samsung V5-9M.
- Canon: Some popular Canon brand TEE transducers are Canon PTE-1206BT and Canon PTE-508MC.
- BK Medical: Some popular BK Medical brand TEE transducers are BK 1109 and BK 2121.
The Bottom Line
Generally, Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) transducers, which are considered an invasive method, provide detailed and real-time heart imaging by being placed into the esophagus. One key characteristic of TEE probes is their clearer visualization of heart structures compared to non-invasive methods like TTE. They play a crucial role in diagnosing conditions like endocarditis, atrial fibrillation, and aortic dissections and are essential in real-time imaging during surgeries. Top brands offering TEE transducers include GE, Philips, Siemens, Samsung, Canon, and BK Medical.
