Designed to provide an efficient way of preparing for the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) credentialing exam, this ExamSim Suite CD delivers a customized study plan so you do not spend time studying material you already know! The CD starts with a full tutorial on test-taking strategies designed to improve your test-taking skills overall. Next, you are asked to take a timed, full-length exam with 120 questions. At the end of the exam, an intelligent patented analysis package delivers hundreds of details as to your specific areas of content strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the analysis provides information on your test taking skills, showing you how you can become a better test-taker. Unlimited access is available to review each question, how you answered, the correct answer and a detailed explanation. Prior to taking the next exam on the CD, it is recommended that you complete the review section and spend time studying the material where you are weak before attempting the second exam. After taking the second and third exams and reviewing the corresponding analysis, you can retake the exams following the same process until you feel fully prepared to sit for your registry exam (24 exams). By using this ExamSim Suite CD to prepare for the SPI credentialing exam, you will have studied the key concepts, focused on your areas of weakness, and used your study time efficiently.
CME
Ultrasound Physics Exam Sim CD 13 AMA/PRA Category 1 credit(s™ or 13 CME
Price
Retail: $165.00
VIP: $98.95
Vascular Technology Seminar
The vascular technology course includes a half-day of arterial hemodynamics and venous principles as well as a full review of cerebrovascular, arterial and venous anatomy and physiology, signs and symptoms, mechanisms of disease, direct and indirect noninvasive testing, therapeutic intervention, invasive testing and test validation. Ample time is allowed for one on one instruction and case study discussion.
CME
Vascular Technology Seminar: 16 CME
Locations
Chicago, IL: April 10-11
Jacksonville. FL: May 22-23
East Rutherford, NJ: Aug 14-15
Los Angeles, CA: Nov 13-14
Price
Retail: $250.00
VIP: $200.00
Vascular Technology Dedicated Lecture
The perfect combination- the individualized attention and interaction of a seminar without associated travel costs. Small groups can customize their lecture topic and lecture dates to eliminate the time, cost and hassle of travel. Need to prepare your group for a credentialing exam? Need CME credits? Want to introduce a new technology into your laboratory? We have the answer and will bring the solution to you.
Combined Physics and Vascular Technology Seminar
Preparing for the CCI Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS)? NEW SEMINAR FORMAT! Attend Frank Miele's popular physics seminar and your specialty seminar at the same site or choose to view the physics course online and attend a weekend Vascular Technology seminar. The newly formatted physics course is held Thursday - Sat AM with the Vascular Technology specialty seminar beginning Saturday PM and continuing to Sunday afternoon. Pre-class material is mailed to you in advance of the course, increasing your comprehension and retention of concepts presented in class. Our pass rates are unparalleled in the industry. Prepare with Pegasus and PASS! Guaranteed.
CME
Physics Seminar: up to 36 CME
Physics Course textbook(included with registration): 35 CSDMS or 35 AMA/PRA Category 1 credits™
Vascular Technology Seminar: 16 CME
Locations
Chicago, IL: April 8-11
Jacksonville. FL: May 20-23
East Rutherford, NJ: Aug 12-15
Los Angeles, CA: Nov 11-14
Price
Retail: $675.00
VIP: $575.00
Arterial Registry Review (7 modules)
Kathy Carter BSN, RN, RVT, FSVU delivers a dynamic Peripheral Arterial Review consisting of the following modules: Anatomy and History, Physiologic Testing, Duplex and Graft Imaging, Aortoiliac and Endografts, Renovascular, Mesenteric and Hepatoportal Imaging. This eCourse is divided into modules so you can view according to your schedule and timeline. If you are interrupted while viewing, our innovative delivery platform allows you to return to your customized program whenever your schedule permits. Fine tune your preparation by book marking topics of particular interest and create your own focused review session.
CME
Pending
VTArt1: Anatomy and History
In this module, Kathy Carter BSN, RN, RVT, FSVU discusses upper and lower arterial anatomy, risk factors, mechanisms and stages of disease, non-atherosclerotic disease, history taking, and physical examination. Length of this module is 37minutes.
This module is included in the complete Arterial Registry Review or can be purchased separately.
CME
Pending
VTArt2: Physiologic Testing
In this Physiologic Testing module, Kathy Carter BSN, RN, RVT, FSVU discusses normal and abnormal lower extremity hemodynamics, pleythysmography (PVR, PCR, VPR, PPG), segmental pressures, Doppler velocity waveforms, and exercise testing, pulsatility indices, acceleration rise time with interactive cases. Module length is 1 hour 4 minutes.
This module is included in the complete Arterial Registry Review or can be purchased separately.
CME
Pending
Price
$79.95
VTArt3A: Duplex and Graft Imaging
In the fourth of the seven Peripheral Arterial modules topics covered include the technique and technical considerations of B-mode, Doppler and Color Doppler in arterial duplex scanning, pre-intervention duplex, rationale for surveillance, post endovascular assessment, location and types of bypass grafts, scan protocols and diagnostic criteria. The module concludes with multiple case presentations. Module length is 1 hour 12 minutes.
This module is included in the complete Arterial Registry Review or can be purchased separately.
CME
Pending
VTArt3B: Aortoiliac and Endografts
This module begins with a discussion of trauma duplex, pseudoaneurysms and technique for DDTI followed by AAA, the protocol and scan technique of aortoiliac duplex scan, aortic endografts, types of endoleaks and the use of other imaging modalities in the evaluation of aortoiliac disease. The length of this module is 40 minutes.
This module is included in the complete Arterial Registry Review or can be purchased separately.
CME
Pending
VTArt4A: Renovascular
Topics covered in this module include visceral anatomy, hemodynamics of renal artery disease, technique and technical considerations of renal artery duplex Ultrasonography, renovascular resistance, assessment of renal stents, diagnostic criteria and incidental findings in renal duplex imaging. Module length is 46 minutes.
This module is included in the complete Arterial Registry Review or can be purchased separately.
CME
Pending
VTArt4B: Mesenteric
In the sixth of a seven module Peripheral Arterial Review eCourse, Kathy Carter BSN, RN, RVT, FSVU discusses mesenteric anatomy and mesenteric vascular disease, including acute mesenteric disease, ischemic colon disease, celiac axis syndrome and mesenteric venous occlusion. This module is 21 minutes in length.
This module is included in the complete Arterial Registry Review or can be purchased separately.
CME
Pending
VTArt4C: Hepatoportal
This module begins with a discussion of the anatomy and pathophysiology of the liver followed by normal vasculature and hemodynamics. The nest section covers abnormal hemodynamics which includes portal hypertension, abnormal portal vein flow and collateral pathways, portal vein thrombosis, hepatic vein thrombosis and Budd-Chiari Syndrome.
This module is included in the complete Arterial Registry Review or can be purchased separately.
CME
Pending
eCourse: Modules 1 to 12 - Complete Ultrasound Physics
NEW FORMAT! Designed to prepare individuals for the new ARDMS Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam and the physics portion of the CCI Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) and CCI Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS) exams, this online eCourse is designed to cover the content tested on the new Sonography SPI, RCS and RVS exams. Concepts covered include ultrasound math principles, waves, attenuation, pulsed wave operation, transducers, system operation, Doppler, artifacts, bioeffects, contrast and harmonics, quality assurance, and hemodynamics. The online streaming video lecture is delivered in an interesting way, related to what ultrasound professionals do on a day-to-day basis. Our unique Pegasus delivery platform allows you to customize your presentation, view modules at your convenience, print notes and even bookmark topics to create your own focused review session.
CME
Seminar: 22.5 CME
Course textbook (included in registration): 35 CSDMS CME or 35 AMA/PRA Category 1 credits™
Price
Retail: $650.00
VIP: $575.00
eCourse: Module 1A - Basic Math
The math covered in this module is foundational to the physics covered in all of the later modules. Knowledge of basic mathematics facilitates answering physics test questions quickly and efficiently. In addition to the basics of how to deal with fractions, reciprocals, unit conversions, and equation manipulation, you will find significant emphasis placed on understanding the physical relationships between variables as expressed by mathematical equations. By learning the mathematical terminology and understanding the physical relationships between variables in physics equations, your ability to comprehend and answer test questions will significantly improve.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 1B - Advanced Math
In this module, we discuss the concept and application of logarithms, basic trigonometry, analog to digital conversion, the Nyquist Criterion, and constructive and destructive interference of waves. In comparison to the module covering basic mathematics, more of the content of this module is directly tested on exams. In summary, we will discuss the more advanced math concepts that will significantly improve your ability to appreciate, comprehend, and apply ultrasound physics.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 2 - Waves
In this module, we start building the foundation for understanding what sound wave parameters can be changed to improve clinical information acquired during imaging, as well as building the foundation for understanding the potential risk of causing tissue damage referred to as a bioeffect.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 3 - Attenuation
In this module, we discuss the three primary components of attenuation, which include absorption, reflection, and refraction. Most people find this chapter very interesting since it describes what physically occurs within the patient as imaging takes place. In essence, in this module, we come to better appreciate how the mechanical sound waves physically interact with the various mediums within the human body. Like the content discussed in the Wave module, this module directly affects our understanding of material discussed later such as bioeffects, system operation, and contrast and harmonics.
Included in Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 4 - Pulsed Wave
This module begins by considering the fundamental limitation of continuous wave transmission. The fact that we must use pulses to achieve depth resolution forces a discussion about a whole new group of timing considerations and issues, referred to as the pulse wave parameters. This discussion about PW timing and pulse characteristics becomes the foundation for understanding depth resolution, the point at which aliasing occurs, the calculation of the frame time and the frame rate, as well as temporal resolution. Additionally, in this module, we learn how the pulse duration affects the bandwidth and we learn about the benefits of broad band transducers.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 5 - Transducers
We begin by discussing the theory of transducers, the piezoelectric effect, and basic ultrasound transducer design. We then discuss basic beam characteristics and the evolution of transducers. In this module, we review the evolution of transducer development in a unique manner. Instead of just listing characteristics of each transducer type, we will focus on the benefits and limitations of each transducer type so that we can understand the motivation for designing each successive generation of transducers. There are two very evident benefits from this approach. First, this approach puts each successive generation of transducer into historical perspective and into context as to why each generation came into existence. Second, this approach teaches transducers from the perspective of the advantages and disadvantages of each transducer type, which happens to form the foundation of many of the exam questions related to transducers.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 6 - System Operation
In this module, we will learn how the system imaging controls affect all of the parameters we have discussed in previous modules. Within this module, we develop and discuss an ultrasound imaging system block diagram so that the various system knobs, buttons, and controls can be understood in the greater context of the interactions that take place within the ultrasound system. In addition to discussing the transmit power, receiver gain, time gain compensation, video compression, and data storage, we discuss some advanced system features such as compound imaging, spatial averaging, multiple transmit foci, and continuous receive focusing.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 7a - Doppler System and Spectral Doppler
We begin this module by learning basic Doppler theory including deriving the Doppler equation from a discussion of the Doppler Effect. After developing the Doppler equation, we discuss how the Doppler equation is applied in ultrasound. We will develop the Doppler system block diagram so that Doppler controls can be understood in the greater context of performing a clinical exam. In this section we will discuss the Doppler controls of transmit, receiver gain, signal detection, the Doppler wall filters, video compression, the PRF, Doppler spectral processing, and the spectral display. After we have completed the block diagram we will then be ready to discuss basic spectral interpretation, angular effects, and the parameters affecting aliasing.
Basic spectral interpretation, angular effects, and the parameters affecting aliasing.
eCourse: Module 7b - Color Doppler
In this module, we discuss the application of the Doppler effect in color Doppler imaging, including color Doppler gain, color wall filters, color persistence, and color priority. As you will see, color Doppler has some characteristics similar to spectral Doppler, some characteristics similar to 2D imaging, and some characteristics that are unique just to color Doppler imaging. Finally, we will concentrate on the ability to distinguish flow direction from a color image, regardless of transducer format, vessel tortuousity, and aliasing.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 8 - Artifacts
In the previous modules, we have discussed much of the physics as it relates to the production of artifacts. In this chapter, we formalize the physics concepts through examples and our discussion of the underlying principles. In essence, artifacts are generated whenever an assumption of ultrasound is violated. In this module, we discuss the imaging artifacts of limited detail resolution, reverberation, grating lobes, refraction, shadowing, enhancement, multi-path, and mirroring. Once the imaging artifacts have been reviewed, we discuss Doppler artifacts such as aliasing, wall filter saturation, spectral broadening, and blooming or blossoming.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 9 - Bioeffects
Although ultrasound is considered to be a very safe modality, there is a small potential risk of doing damage to tissues, referred to as bioeffects. Because of this risk, practitioners must make prudent use of ultrasound. Obviously, in order to be prudent when applying ultrasound, an understanding must be developed of the mechanism by which bioeffects occur, as well as the parameters which most directly impact the likelihood of bioeffects. In this module we integrate previously reviewed concepts together to formalize our understanding of the two primary bioeffect risks, mechanical bioeffects, related to cavitation, and thermal bioeffects, related to temperature increase. Additionally, in this module we review some of the AIUM statements as regard the safety of ultrasound and the risk of bioeffects.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 10 - Contrast and Harmonics
The introduction of contrast imaging and harmonic imaging has revolutionized ultrasound. We will discuss the mechanism and limitations of harmonic contrast, tissue perfusion and harmonic imaging of tissue. The use of harmonics has dramatically impacted the ultrasound world. In this module, we learn the relative amplitudes of normal blood, blood with a contrast agent, harmonic signals from blood, harmonic contrast blood signals, and harmonic signals from tissue. We then discuss how harmonics are generated from tissue without the use of a contrast agent, the non-linear aspects of harmonic signal generation, the benefits of harmonic imaging, and the limitations of harmonic imaging, as well as approaches to overcome these limitations.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 11 - Quality Assurance
The first topic discussed in this module is Doppler system testing. In order to perform Doppler testing, specialized testing equipment has been developed including Doppler flow phantoms, string phantoms, and vibrating plate phantoms. We will then discuss image performance testing. As with Doppler, many different imaging phantoms have been designed to test imaging performance including the parameters of detail resolution, contrast resolution, sensitivity, image distortion, and measurement accuracy. In the third part of this module, we learn about statistical test validation. In this section, we learn the statistical parameters used to compare various aspects of a clinical test we want to validate against a gold standard test. This statistical information will also prove very useful for labs undergoing laboratory accreditation.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 12 - Fluid Dynamics and Hemodynamics
The laws that govern fluid dynamics generally seem outside the intuitive grasp of many people. In this module we begin with a simple analogy which puts the complex content of this often scary topic in terms of a story to which everyone can relate. From this analogy, not only are general fluid dynamic principles appreciated, but also the foundation of the fluid dynamic equations are derived. Further use of analogies and thought experiments will then allow us to derive all of the equations needed, including the resistance equation, the simplified law of hemodynamics, the continuity equation, Poiseuille’s Law, and the Bernoulli equation. Once the equations are derived, we develop a conceptual appreciation of the equations through direct application in various clinical situations. Finally, we will learn how to relate the Doppler spectral characteristics with the hemodynamic concepts just learned.
This module is included in the Complete Physics eCourse or can be purchased separately.
eCourse: Module 13 - Test-taking Strategies
The ability to perform well on a multiple choice test is a skill that requires both fore-thought and practice. In this module, some very unique techniques are taught which will significantly change your test taking approach, as well as improve your test taking abilities. Within this module we will discuss concepts which include how best to read a test question, how to approach answering a test question, types of questions, distracter types, dealing with questions of inversion, logic and reasoning skills, and intelligent use of scrap paper. Additionally, specific test questions are given which allow for direct application of these concepts.
Physiological Testing Techniques and Interpretation
This is a "must read" for anyone involved with the noninvasive assessment of vascular disorders. This extensively illustrated workbook provides a wealth of detailed, easy-to-understand information about performing accurate physiologic testing and testing procedures. Some of the topics covered include an overview of arterial and venous disease, differential diagnosis of extremity pain, stress testing, arterial and venous hemodynamics, recording devices, testing protocols for upper and lower extremities and waveform/pressure analysis. The book also includes diagnostic criteria for physiologic test procedures, illustrated case studies, reimbursement guidelines, and vascular website links.
CME
Physiological Testing Techniques and Interpretation: 5 SDMS CME
Vascular Technology ExamSim Suite CD
Designed to provide an efficient way of preparing for national board exams, this Vascular Technology ExamSim Suite CD delivers a customized study plan so you don't spend time studying material you already know! The CD starts with a full tutorial on test-taking strategies designed to improve your test-taking skills overall. Next, you are asked to take a timed, full-length exam with 120 questions. At the end of the exam, an intelligent patented analysis package delivers hundreds of details as to your specific areas of content strengths and weaknesses. In addition, it provides information on your test taking skills showing you how you can become a better test-taker. Unlimited access is also available to review each question, how you answered, the correct answer and a detailed explanation as to why. Prior to taking the next exam, it is recommended, that you spend time studying the material where you are weak and then try taking the second exam. After working through the third exam and analysis, you can retake the exams following the same process (24 exams) until you feel fully prepared to sit for your registry exam. By using an ExamSim Suite CD to prepare, you will have studied the right material and have spent your limited study time wisely.
