I have achieved a distinction grade in this particular assignment. It is the learning aims A and B part of the medical physics unit in BTEC Applied Science. It covers ionizing and non-ionizing radiation principles and applications.
Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications
Learning A and B
Assignment Title: Radiation use in medical diagnosis and treatment
Learning aim A:
How is non ionising radiation used in medical applications
One condition in which non-ionising radiation techniques would be used is diagnose and treat kidney
stones and another condition is when treating respiratory conditions.
The technique used to treat kidney stones would be ultrasound.[1] Ultrasound is commonly known to
be for pregnant women to see the unborn baby inside the womb. Just like the unborn baby the kidney
stones are located inside the stomach and like the foetus they can be seen and detected through this
technique. [2]
The technique to treat respiratory conditions is called infrared thermography. This technique detects
thermal energy from body and shows the area of the affected part as red in the visual image seen by
doctors. This technique shows where the abnormality is from so the doctors to treat the right part of
the body. The heat from the body that the thermography picked up can be used to come up with a
diagnosis. Examples of respiratory conditions can be bronchitis, pneumonia and flu. [1]
Patients' choices:
Ultrasound to treat kidney stones are commonly used for children under 16 and pregnant women as it
is a non-ionising radiation technique. Kidney stones can be also diagnosed via CT scans however due
it being an ionising radiation technique most patients are far more comfortable undergoing ultrasound
[2]. Thermography is useful if the patient is unable to explain where the pain comes from like for
example if they have mental disabilities or Alzheimer's. The part where the pain comes from will be
shown red on the imaging and will give the doctors a vague idea to what the diagnosis is making the
procedure for the doctor and the patient much easier as it can be used on the full body [1].
Why non ionising radiation gets used for diagnosis and treatment of the human body
Non- ionising radiation is used for radiation and treatment because it does no harm to cells. This
method is preferred when the patient is a child, or a pregnant woman as ionising radiation mainly
affects growing cells. Non-ionising radiation has a longer wavelength meaning it has a low frequency.
The longer the wavelength the radiation has the safer it is for the body.[1] Ionising radiations has
more risks than non-ionising radiation therefore when there is no need, non-ionising is always
preferred by patients as well as doctors. The cons of ionising treatment are that ionising radiation can
disable the growth and division of the cells and may even die [1]. Cells not being able to function
properly can lead to life threatening consequences such as cancer and other diseases [7]. Due to this
non-ionising radiation is widely preferred.
Comparison between different non ionising radiation techniques
MRI and Laser
MRI and lasers are two examples of a non-ionising scanning method. MRI produces radio waves to
take pictures of the brain and lasers produces ultraviolet or infrared radiation. Both these radiations
are considered harmless and non-invasive procedure due to them being non-ionising.
The principle of MRI is that the MRI scan produces a very detailed images of the tissue due to the
protons being able to be detected in exact locations in the body. The body cells are principally made
of hydrogen ions and the MRI acts on these ions by causing them to spin [1] [8]. Another principle of
MRI is that it uses radiofrequency [15]. Principles of laser is that the energy unit of electromagnetic
radiation spectrum is photons [1]. The electron that is revolving around the nucleus gets hit by a
photon a which result in the electron absorbing the energy of the photon and as a result the atom
becomes in an excited state. The atoms are put into an excited state so it can release a photon of light
energy [1]. In the principle of MRI and lasers they both require the absorbing of photons to do its job.
Both the methods provide doctors with detailed images, MRI focuses on tissue inside our bodies
whilst laser scan focuses on the structures inside our bodies [3]. In order to have an MRI scan carried
out on the patient the doctors must be let know about the symptoms that have been experienced by the
patient as MRI scan soft tissues and is therefore more suitable in observing the brain, heart, breasts,
, Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications
Learning A and B
spine, pelvis, joints, abdomen, blood vessels and some organs [1] [3]. Whereas laser therapy can be
used to treat eye conditions via microkeratome. Lasers can be combined with other treatment to
diagnose and treat other conditions such as cancer. MRI is only carried out by itself. Laser can be
combined with treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to help with the
diagnosing and screening procedure [4].
Unlike MRI which only shows the problem and doesn’t cure it, lasers can be also used as a pain killer
after surgery by reducing swelling by sealing lymph vessels. MRI is a non-invasive procedure that
does not require there to be contact to be made with the patient to carry out the scan. Laser therapy is
invasive but just slightly. Benefits of MRI is that it is a painless procedure that produces detailed
images to help doctors with diagnosis [1]. Additionally, another advantage of MRI scan is that it can
differentiate between fat, water and muscle. Disadvantages of MRI is that it is an expensive procedure
and cannot be used to diagnose all cancers. MRI has a risk of causing allergy reactions or skin
infections [5]. Another disadvantage is that MRI can diagnose however it cannot be used to treat the
condition. Advantages of laser is that pain levels are low compared to other treatments as well as
swelling and scarring. Scarring in this technique is reduced because the laser beam has a precise target
which prevents damaging to the healthy surroundings [1]. Due to it being a less damaging technique it
is widely used in cancer treatments. Disadvantages of laser are that, similarly to MRI, it is an
expensive procedure [4]. Despite laser being non-ionising, it is still seen harmful to humans and can
burn if there is contact so therefore should be handled delicately.
Learning aim B:
How is ionising radiation used in medical applications
One condition where ionising radiation technique would be used to treat and diagnose would be in
treating dislocation of bone joint [1]. Another condition where an ionising radiation would be used is
to diagnose thyroid cancer [1].
The technique used to treat bone joint dislocations is called X-rays. X rays tend to have high energies
making them very efficient in medical applications [1]. The X-ray technique will be able to see where
the fracture is and how much the fracture is. X rays can produce a picture when the electrons hit the
target (joint dislocation) [1]. This picture will allow the doctor to see where the dislocation is located
clearly and be able to treat it easily.
The technique used to diagnose and treat thyroid cancer is called proton beam therapy in which the
proton beam can kill the cancer cells and an advantage of this technique is that it does not have much
effect on the other organs surrounding it [1]. Proton beam therapy works by the technique reducing
radiation [6]. Proton beam therapy can reduce side effects of the cancer such as being unable to speak
and losing ability to eat, taste and swallow [6] which can lead to other health problems as these are
essential in everyday lives. As well as this it can also reduce the risk of getting cancers later in life [6].
Patient’s choices
For treating thyroid cancer proton beam therapy is preferred mainly as it is a cancer treatment in
which the patient can carry on with their everyday life as the technique has no effect on it [6]. A
patient might be hesitant to use an ionising treatment as ionising technique come with risks especially
if the patient is a child as they got growing cells in their body which are in risk with a technique that
has ionising radiation [1].
Why ionising radiation technologies are used for diagnosis and treatment of the human body
Ionising radiation is when the wave or particle beam has enough energy in order to break apart a
chemical bond allowing the passing through of the charged ions [1]. The ionising radiation is able to
show comprehensive, internal images of the human organs [13] which makes the process quicker for
the doctor and the patient as the doctor will be able to find out what's wrong and treat the condition
appropriately due to the clear image the technique has produced.. Another reason ionising radiation is
used in human body in medical applications is because it is not foreign to the human body as humans
are exposed to the ionising radiation everyday through natural sources like water and soil [16].
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