Unit 1: Rad Electronic Concepts

energy emitted away from a source that travels through space or materials

radiation

how does radiation travel

Via rays e.g x-rays, visible light and

particles e.g. alpha/beta particles

what is the #1 source of radiation?

Natural / background radiation

non-ionizing radiation

low energy, cannot remove electrons from atoms **e.g sunlights. radio waves, micrwaves

ionized radiation

high energy radiation, can remove electrons from atoms. used in medical imaging *e.g x-rays, gamma rays

who discovered X-rays and when?

Wilhelm Roentgen in Nov 8, 1895.

first radiograph

Anna Bertha Roentgen’s hand that underwent 30 minutes exposure

8 Properties of X-rays

• Poly energetic

• Highly penetrating

• Invisible

• Ionize atoms and molecules → Cause chemical biological changes

• Travels in straight line at speed of light

• Produce scatter and secondary radiation

• Cannot be focused by glass lenses

Define Radiography (static image)

Produce a single, still snapshot image with brief x-ray exposure

Define fluoroscopy

Creates a continuous real time, moving x-ray images with longer exposure. Used to guide procedures (i.e injections, GI studies)

Who developed the fluoroscope?

Thomas Edison in 1898

ARRT

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

-National certification to become an RT
-Must take an exam and pass with 75

-Can take after completing RT program

CRT

Certified Radiologic Technologist

-CA state licensing

-Must past ARRT

-Must pay fee

Which organization is responsible for accrediting radiography education programs in the United States?

JCERT

Joint Review Committee on Education In Radiologic Technology

Inspect hospitals and ensure well trained staff

TJC The Joint Commission

Create educational resources, advocate for profession, and provide continuation credit

ASRT American Society of Radiologic Technologists

Use high frequency sound waves to produce real time images

Ultrasound

The study of blood vessels by injecting contrast media

Angiography

Using both x-ray technology and computer processing to create detailed thin sliced cross sectional images of the body. Able to do 3D reconstruction

Computed Tomography

Uses magnetic and radio waves to produce cross sectional or whole body images

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Sensitive scanner used to detect radioactive isotope being emitted from patients body

Nuclear Medicine

Uses x-ray and radiation to image breast tissue

Mammography

High levels radiation to treat and destroy cancer cells

Radiation Therapy

2 main sources of radiation exposure

A. Natural Environment (radon gas largest source)
B. Man-made exposure

-Medical/dental x-rays (most common)

-Nuclear power plants

-Radioactive fallout (least common

3 practices to protect from radiation?

• Practice ALARA

• 3 Cardinal Principles: Time, distance, shielding

• Radiation protection device: filtration, collimation, apparel, gonadal shielding, and barriers

Removes low energy photons from the beam to reduce patient dose

Filtration

Restrict the useful x-ray beam to area of interest to reduce patient radiation exposure and improve image quality

Collimation

Attenuate scatter radiation before they reach the body

Protective apparel

Protective device designed to protect reproductive organs and potential offspring

Gonadal shielding

Structures designed to absorb radiation and shield healthcare workers from exposure during procedures

Protective Barriers

Redness of the skin due to radiation exposure

Erythema

Medical condition where you lose hair or bald

Alopecia

Decrease in red blood cells due to radiation exposure

Anemia

A degenerative disease of the eye, causing the lens to be cloudy and may cause blindness

Cataract

The four physical states of anything that occupies space and has mass.

• Plasma

• Gas

• Liquid

• Solid

Energized state where atoms loses its electrons and become ionized

Plasma

e.g sun, lightning, light bulb

The ability to do work

Energy

The ability to do work by virtue of position

Potential Energy

Energy of motion

Kinetic Energy

Energy release by chemical reaction

Chemical Energy

Movement of electrons

Electrical energy

Energy movement at the molecular level

Thermal (heat) Energy

Energy contained in the nucleus/center of the atom

Nuclear energy

X-rays, visible light, and radio waves as a form of energy

Electromagnetic Energy