1. Biomedical Technology Technology in Medicine Unit Objective 2: Discuss radiology and digital imaging

2. Radiology started with simple traditional x-ray technology.
Traditional x-rays use
electromagnetic waves
to make pictures which
are developed and
produced onto film.
To look at the x-ray
film images you must
use a view box.

3. Traditional X-ray Still Widely Used
Traditional x-rays are often used to do an initial assessment of suspected broken bones, dental disease, pneumonia, and for routine mammography screening. Patient’s do have some exposure to radiation using this method of imaging.
Traditional x-rays allow for an one dimensional or flat view of internal organs.

4. Mammography A Use of Traditional X-Ray Technology
Traditional x-rays methods are predominately used to do
mammograms. A mammogram is a x-ray of the breasts. There are
two types of mammograms:
1. A screening mammogram is ordered for women who have
no problems with their breasts. It is considered first level screening
for breast cancer. It is usually done on an annual basis for women
age 40 and older. Exceptions are women with a family history of
breast cancer. They could be advised to start screening
mammograms in their 20’s.
2. A diagnostic mammogram is
for evaluation of abnormalities.

5. Diagnostic Mammography
Diagnostic mammograms differ from screening
mammograms in that the examination focuses
specifically on an area of tissue that
appeared abnormal in a screening mammogram.
Additional studies such as an
ultrasound may also be ordered to assess an abnormality.
Ultrasounds are useful in distinguishing between
cysts and tumors.

6. Now the Field of Radiology also has Digital Imaging Technology.
Digital x-ray sensors are used to capture the electromagnetic waves.
The image is then transferred to a
computer to generate pictures.
The computer uses mathematical information
to make the pictures of internal body organs.
Digital x-ray is one type of
digital imaging technology.

7. Advantages of Digital X-Rays Compared to Traditional X-Rays
No developing process
Copies are as good as originals
Viewed on computer screen
Can be transmitted over telephone lines
Uses less radiation
Is more flexible
Images can be highlighted and/or enhanced

8. In what two areas of health care is x-ray technology used the most?
Orthopedics
Dentistry
Bones and teeth visualize well using traditional and/or digital x-ray
technology making the use of more expensive and advanced imaging
techniques unnecessary in many cases.

9. Which type of x-ray is done more frequently, traditional or digital ?
The answer is traditional x-ray is done more frequently than digital.

10. Digital Technology Beyond One Dimensional X-Rays
Computerized Tomography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Positron Emissions Tomography

11. CT Scan
CT scan machine uses "slices " to form a 3-D computer model of a patient's insides giving much more detail than a traditional x-ray image ever could.
The patient passes through a donut shaped ring that emits the radiation through the patient’s body creating cross sectional images of the body.
An alternative name for a
CT Scan is CAT Scan which
stands for Computed Axial
Tomography.

12. MRI Scan A MRI allows imaging of
the soft tissues of the body without using radiation.
The image is produced by a computer and a magnetic field that is 25,000 times stronger than the earth’s magnetic field.
The MRI is capable of capturing
more minute detail than the CT
scan.

13. PET Scan
(PET) is a highly specialized imaging technique using radioscope technology.
It is different from CT and MRI scans in that it produces pictures of activity and function of organs instead of structure.
A 3 dimensional image is produced by a PET scan.
PET scans have been used to study Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.

14. Ultrasound
Ultrasound is an imaging technique that does not use radiation.
It uses high frequency sound waves and can produce a moving image on the screen.
An example of how
ultrasound is used is
to view a fetus in the
uterus.

15. Ultrasound Digital technology is being
Non-digital US image
Digital technology is being
used with ultrasound now to enhance the image
details being projected on the screen.
Digital US image

16. Ultrasound Has Other Uses
Ultrasound is also widely used to image stones in the gallbladder, suspected abdominal or breast tumors, or problems with the thyroid gland, and for evaluating the heart.
It is also used for biopsy guidance almost anywhere in the body.
Ultrasound technology is used to deliver certain types of therapy and medication to deep tissue injury and to help diagnose blood flow problems.
Other words that may be used to denote ultrasound: sonogram, sonography, or
echogram.

17. Bloodless Surgery Another use of digital imaging
Advances in radiology continue to change the boundaries between radiology and surgery, so that it may become difficult to distinguish between the fields.
Bloodless surgery uses digital imaging
to accomplish less-invasive surgery.
The benefit of less-invasive surgery is a
much smaller incision and less likelihood of infection post-operatively.
Bloodless surgery is used to treat certain brain tumors.

18. Types of Bloodless Surgery
Interventional Radiology
Some surgical biopsies have been replaced with needle biopsies. When this is done it is called interventional radiology.
Digital imaging is used to guide the placement of the needle.

19. Types of Bloodless Surgery
Stereostactic Radiosurgery
A form of radiation therapy that focuses high-powered x-rays onto a small area with a goal of destroying the target.
The gamma knife is a painless device used in stereo radiosurgery.

20. Types of Bloodless Surgery
Focused Ultrasound Surgery
Uses sound waves, which create a powerful ultrasonic beam.
The beam destroys the targeted tissue without affecting any of the other tissues around it.
The procedure is conducted in a MRI scanner which helps the physician "see" inside the body to pinpoint, guide, and continuously monitor the treatment.

21. Future medical imaging will incorporate digital high definition displays, leaving the x-ray films and images of today in the past.