Which ultrasound wave has the highest heat potential?

• A. Continuous
• B. Pulsed
• C. Intermittent
• D. Modulated

Answer: (A)

The heating potential of ultrasound is determined by how continuously energy is delivered. Continuous ultrasound sends energy into tissue without any interruption, so the tissue accumulates heat over the duration of exposure. That means it has the highest potential to raise tissue temperature compared with other waveforms.

Pulsed ultrasound delivers energy in bursts with off times between them, allowing heat to dissipate during the pauses, which reduces the net temperature rise. Intermittent and modulated patterns also include breaks or varying energy delivery, leading to less sustained heating than continuous waves.

So, continuous energy delivery yields the greatest thermal buildup, making continuous ultrasound the waveform with the highest heat potential.