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Unit 21 Medical Physics Application Assignment examples (ABC)
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Unit 21 AB AssignmentX-rays
What it is?
X-rays are electromagnetic radiation that resembles visible light but has shorter wavelengths
and a lot more intensity. Since they are an ionising radiation type, they have the energy to break
free electrons from tightly bound atoms, resulting in the creation of ions. Because of this
characteristic, X-rays can be advantageous or hazardous depending on how they are used and
how much exposure they receive.
How does it work?
All bodily parts are penetrated by the minuscule electromagnetic radiation particles emitted by
X-ray machines, except for the thickest ones. Because of this, the image it produces known as a
radiograph enables medical professionals to see into your body.
Sometimes a contrast medium (a kind of dye) is administered to aid in the appearance of more
detail in the photographs. These could be given to you orally, intravenously, or rectoally.
Images from X-rays come in different tones of grey and white. Bones and metal items appear
white on radiographs because they are solid and allow less radiation to travel through them.
Skin, muscle, blood, and other bodily fluids, on the other hand, appear grey because most
radiation may flow through them.
In contrast to the surrounding tissue, areas devoid of any material to block the radiation beam
such as air or even a fracture appear black.
Treatment or diagnosis
Due to their special qualities and interactions with tissues, X-rays are used for both diagnosis
and treatment. In diagnostic applications, their ability to penetrate different tissues to varying
degrees allows for clear imaging of internal structures. Dense tissues, such as bones, absorb
, Unit 21 AB Assignment
more X-rays and appear white on X-ray films, whereas softer tissues absorb less and appear in
shades of grey, making it easier to identify fractures, infections, and abnormalities. In
treatment, especially cancer therapy, the high energy of X-rays can be precisely targeted to
damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing their ability to replicate, and ultimately leading to
their death. Oncologists can focus treatment on tumours thanks to the precision of X-ray
radiation, which minimises damage to surrounding tissues. X-rays are therefore necessary for
both focused therapeutic interventions and precise internal imaging due to their penetrating
capacity and regulated energy levels.
Computerised Axial Tomography
What it is?
A medical imaging technique called Computerised Axial Tomography (CAT or CT) creates
comprehensive cross-sectional images of the body by combining X-ray readings acquired from
numerous angles. Using this technique, an X-ray source is rotated around the patient, and
detectors track the amount of radiation that enters and exits the body. These measurements
are processed by a computer into a sequence of two-dimensional pictures that can be stacked
to depict the internal structures in three dimensions. Because computed tomography (CT)
scans may produce extremely accurate and comprehensive images of bones, blood vessels,
and soft tissues, they are a valuable diagnostic tool for a wide range of disorders, including
diseases, internal injuries, and tumours.
How does it work?
A spinning X-ray equipment is used in computerised axial tomography (CAT or CT) to take
numerous images of a patient's body from various angles. The patient lies on a table that glides
inside a cylindrical scanner to undergo a CT scan. An X-ray tube inside the scanner revolves
around the patient, passing X-rays through their body. X-ray dose through various tissues is
measured by detectors on the other side of the tube. These measurements are subsequently
processed by a computer to provide fine-grained cross-sectional pictures, or slices, of the
body. These slices can be combined by the computer to create a complete three-dimensional
picture of the inside structures. This exact and clear visualisation is very helpful for diagnosing
and tracking a variety of medical disorders.
Treatment
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT) is used in treatment planning due to its ability to
produce highly detailed and accurate images of the body's internal structures. The precision of
CT imaging allows healthcare providers to pinpoint the exact location, size, and shape of
, Unit 21 AB Assignment
abnormalities such as tumours. This detailed information is crucial for developing effective
treatment plans, especially in radiation therapy, where precise targeting of cancerous tissues is
essential to maximize treatment efficacy while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy
tissues. Additionally, CT scans are used to guide biopsies, plan surgeries, and monitor the
progress of treatments, ensuring that interventions are accurately administered and adjusted
as needed. The combination of comprehensive imaging and precise detail makes CT an
indispensable tool in modern medical treatment.
Diagnosis
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT) is used for diagnosis due to its ability to produce
highly detailed and precise images of the body's internal structures. The technique's rotating X-
ray source and advanced detectors capture multiple views from different angles, allowing the
computer to generate cross-sectional slices of the body. These slices provide more detailed
information than traditional X-rays, especially for soft tissues, blood vessels, and organs. CT
scans can detect and pinpoint abnormalities such as tumors, infections, and internal injuries
with great accuracy. Additionally, the ability to reconstruct three-dimensional images from
these slices enhances the visualization of complex structures, aiding in comprehensive
diagnosis and treatment planning. This combination of detailed imaging and three-dimensional
reconstruction makes CT an invaluable tool in medical diagnostics.
Ultrasound
What it is?
Sonography, another name for ultrasound, is a type of medical imaging that creates images of
inside body structures using high-frequency sound waves. It entails utilising a transducer to
send sound waves into the body while simultaneously detecting echoes that return from inside
tissues. A computer then processes these echoes to produce visual images in real time. During
pregnancy, ultrasound is frequently used to assess and track the growth of the foetus as well as
organs and tissues. It is a safe and useful technique in medical practice because it is non-
invasive, uses no ionising radiation, and offers insightful diagnostic data.
How does it work?
High-frequency sound waves are used in ultrasounds to provide images of the interior of the
body. A transducer, which is a device that both emits and receives sound waves, is the first step
in the process. A specific gel is applied to the skin before the transducer is inserted to do an
ultrasonic examination. Through the elimination of air pockets between the transducer and the
skin, this gel aids in the efficient transmission of sound waves.
Sound waves are emitted by the transducer, and as they pass through the body, they reflect off
of organs, tissues, and other structures. Depending on their density and makeup, different
tissues reflect these sound waves back to the transducer to differing degrees. For instance, soft
tissue will reflect sound waves differently than bone or fluid. These reverberating echoes are
then recorded by the transducer.
These echoes are transmitted to a computer, which interprets them and produces images that
are shown on a monitor in real time. The images can depict blood passing via blood vessels as
well as the composition and motion of inside organs. Because ultrasonography can take
dynamic pictures, it's very helpful for checking on the heart, looking at the organs in the
abdomen, and evaluating the development of the foetus during pregnancy.
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