Acoustic output upper limits proposition: should upper limits be retained?

From the Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois (W.D.O.); Philips Medical Systems– Ultrasound, Bothell, Washington (J.G.A.); Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland (M.E.St., G.R.H.); Sonic Tech, Inc, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania (M.E.Sc.); Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio (T.A.S.); Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.R.B.M.); Medical Physics Department, Royal United Hospital, Bath, England (F.A.D.); and Peripheral Vascular Diagnostic Center, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan (P.J.B.). Address correspondence to William D. O’Brien, Jr, PhD, Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois, 405 N Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801. Abbreviations AIUM, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine; ALARA, as low as reasonably achievable; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; NEMA, National Electrical Manufacturers Association; ODS, output display standard t the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) 2002 Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, a point/counterpoint categorical course was presented on the topic of acoustic output upper limits. The course organizers were William D. O’Brien, Jr, PhD, John G. Abbott, PhD, and Mel E. Stratmeyer, PhD. The published course objective was as follows: