New 4D images of the heart are now possible using ultrasound. This method of imaging internal organs is so safe, it is used to take pictures of fetuses in wombs.

The technology utilizes sound waves to image objects in much the same way as sonar can locate and map features under the water.

Cardiac ultrasounds currently only provide images of a "slice" through the heart, which makes identifying areas of concern challenging for doctors. This process, known as beamforming, requires health care professionals to simply imagine what the organ looks like in three dimensions.

General Electric developed a new type of software that can analyze all the data fed to it during an ultrasound examination and process that into a cohesive video image of the organ in action.

"According to doctors, the new 4D cardiovascular ultrasound machines produce[s] images so detailed that they can actually see how blood flow is affected by clots inside arteries, or how much blood is leaking around a valve that's malfunctioning," Andrew Liszewski wrote for Gizmodo.

Aurora St. Lukes Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wis., is the first health care facility in the world to make use of the new 4D scanner.

"At Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, we treat some of the most complex heart conditions, and having access to best-in-class technology that can help deliver excellent patient care is important. We believe the new cSound technology from GE Healthcare can help us efficiently and accurately diagnose and develop treatment plans for people suffering from heart failure conditions," said Bijoy Khandheria, M.D., a cardiologist at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center.

A similar 4D version of ultrasound has previously been developed for imaging fetuses within wombs. However, this new software/hardware combination designed for cardiac examination also has some unique features not seen in the obstetric device.

Ultrasound machines designed for use on fetuses are designed to show the skin of the fetuses as one even color. This is done in an effort to look pleasing to the expectant parent(s). However, trained health care workers are more interested in studying any abnormalities in the organ than in seeing a pretty picture. Therefore, the cardiac ultrasound is designed to show various parts of the heart in different colors, aiding in diagnosis.

Because there is no radiation used in recording the 4D moving images of the heart, patients will be able to undergo the procedure as often as needed without risk from electromagnetism.

Check out this video of a 4D heart scan below, and an instructional video is available on the GE Healthcare YouTube channel.