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BTEC Applied Science physic Unit 21 learning aim C
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Unit 21: medical physics applicationsLearning aim C: understand health and safety, associated risks, side effects and limitations of ionising
and non-ionising instrumentation techniques in medical applications.
Assignment title: health and safety in the medical use of ionising and non-ionising radiation
technologies.
Non-ionising radiation technology
Non-ionising radiation is electromagnetic energy that is insufficient to remove an electron from an atom
or molecule. Non-ionizing radiation technology, on the other hand, has the potential to harm humans.
Although non-ionising radiation cannot penetrate dense bone or tissue, it can harm the nervous system,
damage, and burn skin tissue and eyes, and produce nausea and disorientation. It all depends on the
amount of energy used, the quantity of exposure given, and how it is delivered. Non-noising radiation
technology's hazards, side effects, and limits are discussed below.
Health and safety risks of non-ionising radiation technology
An example of non-ionising radiation technology is ultrasound, also called sonography or diagnostic
medical sonography, Ultrasound is a non-ionizing technology that is used to diagnose and treat people.
Although ultrasound is a safe imaging method, it can cause biological tissues to heat up. In addition to
producing harm. Many studies on ultrasound have found that low-level ultrasound exposure is not
harmful, while high-level ultrasound exposure is. In certain research, ultrasound has been related to
cancer. For example, cancers of the kidney, heart, and brain. Pregnant women who utilise ultrasound for
sonography give birth to children with autism, according to research and studies. Although ultrasound
has numerous advantages in the medical sector, it can be harmful if significant levels of radiation are
emitted or if it is utilized inappropriately.
Another example of non-ionising radiation technology is MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging is another
sort of non-ionizing radiation used to treat individuals who have been diagnosed. MRI is deemed safe
because it does not involve ionising radiation. An MRI is particularly dangerous since it uses a powerful
magnet to create an image, and metallic objects can be pulled out. Cryogens are used to cool magnets
and other inside components in MRI machines. The equipment's cryogens may leak into the MRI room,
displacing oxygen. It has the potential to cause a variety of health problems.
People who have pacemakers in their bodies should avoid getting an MRI scan. The MRI magnet is so
powerful that it can pull the pacemaker towards itself, causing the patient discomfort and significant
bleeding. If the magnet fails to pull the pacemaker, it may cause it to malfunction and stop performing
properly. As a result, an irregular heartbeat may occur. Pacemakers also have a few extra drawbacks.
People who wear hearing aids will also encounter the same problem. It is not suggested that you
undergo an MRI scan if you have any metallic devices in your body. Anyone in the MRI room could be
seriously injured if these risks are not addressed. As a result, in order to preserve the health and safety
of patients and workers, staff must be able to follow safety and operating protocols.
, Side effects of non-ionising radiation technology
There are many side effects non-ionisng radiation technology causes. For example, ultrasound, because
ultrasound does not use radiation, it is a painless procedure. It is, however, a radiation-based therapy,
which has its own set of drawbacks. People may experience discomfort as the probe is placed against
the skin and inserted into the body. Endoscopic ultrasonography is a type of ultrasound that images your
digestive system through your mouth. It has a numbing effect and may cause temporary side effects
such as a sore throat and bloating. There is a chance of internal bleeding.
MRI also has its own side effects; Different forms of MRI have different negative effects. Headache,
feeling cold at the injection site, sweating, and nausea are the most prevalent MRI side effects. The
following are some of the other MRI adverse effects:
Dizziness
Having difficulty breathing
Flushing
Clots in the blood
Hives
Limitations of non-ionising radiation technology
Non-ionising radiation technology also has several limitations. The following are some of ultrasound's
limitations:
It is possible that unborn infants will be disabled as a result of this.
Because it is a challenging process that demands experienced and knowledgeable personnel, the
end outcomes are entirely dependent on the operator and their level of competence.
When compared to CT and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans, it has a poorer image
resolution.
Because air and gas may easily disturb ultrasound, it is not an ideal imaging tool for air-filled
bowels and organs that are concealed by the gut.
MRI, while it is one of the most effective imaging techniques, it, like all others, has limits. Some of the
most common MRI scan limitations are as follows:
MRI scans usually take a long time to complete.
Because MRI machines are costly, the approach is also costly.
Because it can harm a pacemaker, people who have one are unable to undergo an MRI scan.
MRI can be a noisy procedure.
The patient must remain perfect throughout the procedure in order to obtain a flawless and
detailed image.
Ionising radiation technology
Ionising radiation is a type of electromagnetic wave that has enough energy to break chemical bonds,
resulting in the formation of charged ions in the materials it passes through.
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