B-mode
Standard 2D grayscale ultrasound image. 'B' for brightness — pixel intensity represents the amplitude of the returning echo at each depth and lateral position. The default imaging mode and the foundation every other ultrasound mode (Color Doppler, Pulsed Wave, M-mode) overlays on top of.
Why it matters to buyers: The default imaging mode. Every exam starts in B-mode. Premium-tier image-quality differentiators (compound imaging, speckle reduction — SieClear, SonoCT, CrossXBeam + SRI) act on the B-mode image. Penetration on heavy-habitus patients is the practical buyer-evaluation metric.
Why it matters to engineers: Dynamic range, gray-scale presentation, and TGC (time-gain compensation) define perceived B-mode image quality at matched probe and depth. Probe condition is the most common cause of image-quality complaints; lens damage, dropped probes, and crystal aging all show up in B-mode first.