Post on 24-Jan-2016
Computed Axial Computed Axial Tomography Tomography
MachinesMachinesBy: Jay PatelBy: Jay Patel
BME 181BME 181Professor: Ming LiuProfessor: Ming Liu
What is a CAT Scan?What is a CAT Scan?
It is a non-invasive medical imaging procedure that It is a non-invasive medical imaging procedure that combines the use of X-rays and computer combines the use of X-rays and computer processing to generate tomographic (‘slices’) of the processing to generate tomographic (‘slices’) of the area scannedarea scanned
Four classifications of the types of scans: Four classifications of the types of scans: -Abdominal-Abdominal-Bone-Bone-Head-Head-Vascular-Vascular
Present-Day CAT Scan Present-Day CAT Scan MachineMachine
BackgroundBackground
Was formally introduced in 1972 by a British Was formally introduced in 1972 by a British engineer Sir Godfrey Hounsfieldengineer Sir Godfrey Hounsfield
The first scan was done in 1971, of the brainThe first scan was done in 1971, of the brain
Physicist Allan Cormack also invented a similar Physicist Allan Cormack also invented a similar machine in the United Statesmachine in the United States
Both Cormack and Hounsfield were awarded the Both Cormack and Hounsfield were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1979 Nobel Prize in 1979
First clinical scanners were installed in 1974First clinical scanners were installed in 1974
Was a revolutionary invention in terms of medical Was a revolutionary invention in terms of medical imagingimaging
Notable AdvancementsNotable Advancements
First invented scanners were only dedicated to head First invented scanners were only dedicated to head imagingimaging
Full body CAT scan machines were not widely Full body CAT scan machines were not widely available until 1980available until 1980
Over the years, scan speeds have drastically Over the years, scan speeds have drastically increased going from a few hours to just minutesincreased going from a few hours to just minutes
The resolution of the scanned images are 16x betterThe resolution of the scanned images are 16x better
Improved designs of the machines allow all the Improved designs of the machines allow all the ‘slices’ to be put together so the image is ‘slices’ to be put together so the image is continuouscontinuous
Procedure for ScanProcedure for Scan
Depending on the type of scan, you may not be Depending on the type of scan, you may not be allowed to eat/drink a few hours prior to scanallowed to eat/drink a few hours prior to scan
Wear comfortable clothing or a gown will be Wear comfortable clothing or a gown will be providedprovided
All metal and electronic possessions that can be All metal and electronic possessions that can be removed must be removedremoved must be removed
Intravenous contrast (if necessary) is injected into Intravenous contrast (if necessary) is injected into patientpatient
Patient is then asked to lay on the machine Patient is then asked to lay on the machine platform, and alignedplatform, and aligned
How it FunctionsHow it Functions
Image from ScanImage from Scan
Limitations/Limitations/ConsiderationsConsiderations
Cost: Ranges from $250-5000+Cost: Ranges from $250-5000+
Restriction on number of exams in a given period of Restriction on number of exams in a given period of timetime
Women who are pregnant, generally are Women who are pregnant, generally are discouraged from having a CAT scan performeddiscouraged from having a CAT scan performed
Risk of getting cancerRisk of getting cancer
Intravenous or oral contrast can be uncomfortableIntravenous or oral contrast can be uncomfortable
Future: Decrease the time needed for scan/Decrease Future: Decrease the time needed for scan/Decrease the amount of radiation required for scanthe amount of radiation required for scan
ReferencesReferences
http://melissaheart.blogspot.com/2011/04/cat-scan-dangers.html - 4/18/13 - 4/18/13
https://blogs.lsc.edu/dalagest/files/2009/02/ctscan.jpg - 4/18/13- 4/18/13
http://www.dydent.com/ctscanhistory.htm - 4/18/13 - 4/18/13
http://www.imaginis.com/ct-scan/brief-history-of-ct ct - 4/19/13- 4/19/13
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_computed_tomographyray_computed_tomography- 4/19/13- 4/19/13
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodycthttp://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodyct- 4/19/13- 4/19/13