Medical Technologies

1
Medical Technologies

• 1. Describe different technologies used to
  observe the body.

2
Who uses these technologies?

• A Radiologist
• Carries out radiological procedures to view the
  inside of the body.

3
X-Rays

• High energy radiation can penetrate tissues and
  strike a photographic plate.
• Radiodensity resistance to x-ray penetration

4
Radiodensity

• Air ? Fat ? Liver ? Blood ? Muscle? Bone
• Low Radiodensity ? High Radiodensity
• Gray/Black Color ? White Color on X-Ray

Barium Contrast X-ray of digestive tract. Barium
is very radiodense
5
CT or CAT Scan

• Computed Tomography
• Uses X-rays that rotate around the body
• Sectional views, easily shows soft tissues
• Used to monitor growths and procedures

6
MRI

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Surrounds the body with a magnetic field, then
  sends radio waves to sense pulses from soft
  tissues.
• Useful for imaging tissues of brain, neck and
  spinal cord.
• More detailed than CT
• No metal or electronic devices near machine (no
  pacemakers!)

7
How powerful is the MRI magnet?

• Photo from howstuffworks.com

8
www.koppdevelopment.com
9
Ultrasound

• Sound waves are transmitted directly through skin
  and echoes are detected and mapped.
• Will not harm fetus
• Produces a picture called an echogram

Old 3D ultrasound
New 4D ultrasounds
10
EEGs MEGs

• Measures small electrical currents from neurons
  inside the brain.
• Shows damage to brain tissue