Introduction to Radiography

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Introduction to Radiography
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Radiation

• Energy that is transmitted by waves through space
  or a medium

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Energy

• The capacity to operate or work
• Higher forms of energy like x-rays have the
  ability to ionize atoms in matter.

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Ionization

• Any process by which a neutral atom gains or
  loses an electron thus acquiring a net charge.

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Types of Energy

• Mechanical energy
• The ability to do work due to motion or location
• Thermal energy
• Transmittance of heat
• Nuclear energy
• Energy emitted by the nucleus of an atom
• Electromagnetic energy
• The man made form is x-rays

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Radiography

• The making of film records known as radiographs
  of internal structures of the body by passage of
  x-rays through the body to act on specially
  sensitized film.

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History of Radiography

• November 8, 1895 is the recognized day of the
  discovery of x-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a
  German physicist.

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Cathode

• Contains a filament which emits electrons when
  heated.
• Considered the negative side of the tube.

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Anode

• A cold metallic palte on the other side of the
  tube.
• Considered the positive side of the tube.

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Radiologic technology

• Technical science that deals with the use of
  x-rays or radioactive substances for diagnostic
  or therapeutic purposes in medicine.

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Radiologic Technologist (RT)

• Individuals qualified to use radiation to produce
  images of the internal parts of the body for
  interpretation
• Also called radiographers
• Our title R.T. (R) means registered technologist
  (radiography)

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American Registry of Radiologic Technologist
(ARRT)

• The governing board which administers the
  registry examination for all RTs

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Radiologist

• A physician that interprets radiographic images

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Specialties in Radiography

• Cardiovascular Interventional Technology
  (CVIT)(VIT)
• Angiography -Radiologic examination of the blood
  vessels after injection of contrast medium
• Cardiac catherization placing a catheter in one
  of the chambers of the heart and coronary
  arteries
• Angioplasty treatment of blocked blood vessels
  without the need for invasive surgery

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Specialties in Radiography

• Mammography
• Radiographic examination of the breast

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Specialties in Radiography

• Computed Tomography (CT)
• A specialized form of radiography which utilizes
  special equipment for imaging the body in various
  planes

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Specialties in Radiography

• Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT)
• Involves imaging parts of the patient after the
  introduction of a radioactive material known as a
  radio pharmaceutical either orally or
  intravenously.

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Specialties in Radiography

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Uses a strong magnetic field and raio waves along
  with a computer to generate sectional images of
  the patients anatomy

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Specialties in Radiography

• Radiation Therapy
• Administration of high energy ionizing radiation
  to treat primarily malignant tumors (cancers)
• Radiation therapist
• Technologist
• Radiation oncologist
• Physician

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Specialties in Radiography

• Sonography
• Visualization of structures of the body by
  recording ultrasound waves directed into tissue
• Sonographer
• Technologist

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Additional Opportunities for RTs

• Education
• Clinical instructor
• Clinical coordinator
• Program coordinator
• Instructor / faculty member

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Additional Opportunities for RTs

• Administration
• Supervisors
• Chief technologists
• Managers
• Department heads

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Additional Opportunities for RTs

• Commercial firms
• Sales
• Equipment maintenance
• Technical support personnel
• Consultants

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The Health Care Team

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Therapist
• Health information services
• Diagnostic services
• Radiology
• Medical technologist
• Clinical laboratory
• Electroencephalography