Medical Imaging

TechnologiesMedical imaging produces

images of organs and tissues within the body for use in diagnosis and treatment

X-Ray

Most common form of medical imaging X-Ray is high energy radiation that can

penetrate skin and tissues, but not bone or metal

X-rays are absorbed by dense structures which will appear whiter than less dense structures around it

X-Ray machines produce a radiograph for the radiologist to read

X-Ray: Benefits and Drawbacks

Radiographs can be used to check for cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory problems,and for cavities in your teeth

X-Ray imaging is quick, virtually painless and non-invasive

X-Ray can cause changes and mutations to DNA

X-Ray -> Fluoroscopy

Uses continuous beams of

X-Rays to produce images that show the movement of organs

Patient may need to ingest a contrast liquid such as barium

Used to study digestive and circulatory function

The image of a blood vessel is called an angiogram

X-Ray -> Radiotherapy

X-Rays can be used to treat cancer

X-rays damage the DNA of the cancer cells to kill these cells or prevent them from multiplying

X-Ray -> Comptued Tomography (CT)

X-Ray equipment is used to form a 3D image from a series of images taken at different angles of the body

Often used to diagnose cancer, abnormalities of the skeleton and vascular disease

CT can image bone, soft tissue and blood vessels at the same time

This test is quick, painless and provides detailed information

Ultrasound

Uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of body tissue and organs

Sound waves enter the body and are reflected back (like an echo)

A kind of ultrasound called an echocardiogram can be used to diagnose an abnormality in the heart or blood vessels

Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI

Uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body

The magnets interact with the hydrogen atoms (found in H2O)

Useful for imaging the structure and function of the brain, heart, liver, soft tissue and inside bones.

Nuclear Medicine Used to diagnose cancer,

investigate blood circulation and evaluate disorders in organs

Radioisotopes are used to provide images of how tissues and organs function

Radioisotopes emit radiation The radioisotope is attached to a

chemical that is absorbed by certain tissues or organs

A special camera detects the radiation and creates an image

Radioisotopes can also be used to treat disease

Nuclear Medicine -> Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

The radioisotope used in a PET scan emits particles called positrons

PET can be used to detect cancer in tissue, to detect heart disease and some brain disorders

                              

                                      

Biophotonics

Uses interactions of light with cells and tissue to diagnose and treat abnormalities

Doctors can use endoscopes to examine the digestive tract and collect tissue samples

Endoscopic surgeries are much less invasive