Ultrasound imaging is a widely used technique in every health care center and hospital. Ultrasound gel is used as a coupling medium in all ultrasound procedures to replace air between the transducer and the patient's skin, as ultrasound waves have trouble in traveling through air. This research was performed to formulate an inexpensive alternative to commercially available ultrasound gel as it is expensive and imported from other countries. Different formulations with different concentrations of carbopol 980 (CAR 980) and methylparaben were prepared with natural ingredients such as aloe vera gel and certain available chemicals that have no harmful effects on the skin. To justify the efficiency of the formulations; necessary physicochemical characteristics such as visual clarity, homogeneity, transparency, skin irritation, antibacterial activity, pH, stability, spreadability, conductivity, acoustic impedance, viscosity, and cost were evaluated. Moreover, a comparison study was also conducted with commercially available ultrasound gel that was utilized as a control. All samples showed excellent transparency and no microbial growth. S1 was the only formulation that met all of the requirements for commercial ultrasound gel and produced images that were similar to those produced by commercial ultrasound gel. So, this formulation could be used as an alternative to expensive commercial ultrasound gel for taking images in hospitals and medical centers.
Keywords: CAR 980; aloe vera; methylparaben; ultrasonography; ultrasound gel.