Medical Imaging Technology

Question 1

diagnostic testing

Answer 1

• Provide information about the structure and function of organs, tissues, and cells
• medical imaging produces images of organs and tissues within the body for use and diagnosis and treatment

Question 2

x-ray

Answer 2

• most common form of medical imaging
• high energy radiation that can easily penetrate material such as skin and tissues, but cannot easily penetrate metals and bone
• A radiograph is produced when x-rays pass through the body to produce an image
• X-rays are absorbed by dense structures, such as bone, so the bones appear whiter
• radiographs can be used to check for cancer
• It can cause mutations to DNA because it is high energy radiation so patients must be covered with an apron

Question 3

Fluoroscopy

Answer 3

• A technique that uses continuous beam of x-rays to produce images that show the movement of organs such as the stomach or colon in the body
• the patient may be required to ingest a contrast liquid such as very MR iodine to help the doctor see the organ clearly
• Used to study the blood vessels of the heart and brain (called an angiogram)

Question 4

Radiotherapy

Answer 4

• x-rays are also used to treat cancer
• x-rays damage the DNA and either kill the cancer cells or prevent them from multiplying
• a beam of x-rays is directed at a tumour so that there is minimal damage to healthy normal cells
• radiotherapy may be combined with other forms of cancer therapy

Question 5

ultrasound

Answer 5

• uses high frequency, sound waves to produce images of body, tissues, and organs
• A transducer produces the sound waves that enter the body and are reflected back to the transducer by internal body structures. This reflection makes an image of the body structure which is recorded on the screen and view by a technician.
• used to study soft tissue and major organs in the body as sound waves cannot penetrate bone

Question 6

Computer tomography CT or computer assisted tomography CAT

Answer 6

• use x-ray equipment to form three dimensional image from series of images taken at different angles of the body
• used to diagnose cancer and other abnormalities
• can used image bone soft tissue blood vessels at the same time and as quick with no pain, but detailed information

Question 7

Magnetic residence imaging MRI

Answer 7

• uses powerful magnets in radio waves to produce detailed images of the body
• produces a strong magnetic field that interacts with hydrogen atoms
• A combination of the magnetic field and different radio frequencies make it possible for a specialized computer to generate an image
• useful for imaging the structure and function of the brain, heart and liver, soft tissues and inside of bones

Question 8

Nuclear medicine

Answer 8

• uses radioisotopes to provide images of how tissues or organs function by attaching it to a chemical that is absorbed by certain organs
• as the radio isotope, emits radiation, a special camera and computer converted to an image
• use a diagnose cancer, investigate blood circulation and evaluate disorders and organs
• Also use to treat disease like breast cancer or prostate cancer

Question 9

Positron emission tomography PET

Answer 9

• A type of nuclear medicine, where a patient is given a radio isotope that emits particles called positrons
• use most often to detect cancer and tissues, or to examine the effects of cancer treatment, also heart disease, and some brain disorders
• Maybe combined with the CT scan

Question 10

biophotonics

Answer 10

• uses the interactions of light with cells and tissues to diagnose and treat abnormalities
• light shines on cells. The particles of light are scattered by atoms in the molecules of the cells a special imaging device records these scatter patterns. The molecules in abnormal cells create different scatter patterns to normal cells. Doctors are able to view tissues deep within the body using light.
• an endoscope can be used to view areas in the body during surgery