How do X-rays work

Exercise 1
Match the term to their definitions
a Radiology 1. the emission and propagation of energy in the form of rays,
waves or particles through a medium.

b Tomography 2. uses X-rays to generate computerized images (pictures) of

all parts of the body. The technique can create three-
dimensional pictures.

c Nucleus 3 have high frequency and therefore high penetrating ability

d Atomic Number 4 a technique for using x-rays for photographing one specific
plane of the body, for diagnostic purposes

e Hard X-rays 5. medical imaging techniques that allow doctors to see inside
a patient's body

f Positron 6 a particle with the same mass as an electron but with a

positive charge

g CAT scan 7 the positively charged core of an atom

h Radiation 8 a bundle of energy. The amount of energy in it is

proportional to the frequency of the radiation

I photon 9 the spontaneous disintegration of the nucleus of certain

elements with the consequent emission of radiation

j Radioactivity 10 the number of protons in the nucleus.

How CAT Scans Work by Tom Harris

Introduction to How CAT Scans Work

CAT scans take the idea of conventional X-ray imaging to a new level. Instead of finding the outline of bones and organs, a CAT scan machine forms a
full three-dimensional computer model of a patient's insides. Doctors can even examine the body one narrow slice at a time to pinpoint specific areas.

The Basic Idea

Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan machines produce X-rays, a powerful form of electromagnetic energy. X-ray photons are basically the
same thing as visible light photons, but they have much more energy. This higher energy level allows X-ray beams to pass straight through most of the
soft material in the human body. (See How X-Rays Work to find how X-rays do this, as well as how X-ray machines produce X-ray photons).

A conventional X-ray image is basically a shadow: You shine a "light" on one side of the body, and a piece of film on the other side registers the
silhouette of the bones.

Shadows give you an incomplete picture of an object's shape. Imagine you are standing in front of a wall, holding a pineapple against your chest with
your right hand and a banana out to your side with your left hand. Your friend is looking only at the wall, not at you. If there's a lamp in front of you, your
friend will see the outline of you holding the banana, but not the pineapple -- the shadow of your torso blocks the pineapple. If the lamp is to your left,
your friend will see the outline of the pineapple, but not the banana.

The same thing happens in a conventional X-ray image. If a larger bone is directly between the X-ray machine and a smaller bone, the larger bone may
cover the smaller bone on the film. In order to see the smaller bone, you would have to turn your body or move the X-ray machine.

In order to know that you are holding a pineapple and a banana, your friend would have to see your shadow in both positions and form a complete
mental image. This is the basic idea of computer aided tomography. In a CAT scan machine, the X-ray beam moves all around the patient, scanning
from hundreds of different angles. The computer takes all this information and puts together a 3-D image of the body.

Scanning Procedure
The CAT machine looks like a giant doughnut tipped on its side. The patient lies down on a platform, which slowly moves through the hole in the
machine. The X-ray tube is mounted on a movable ring around the edges of the hole. The ring also supports an array of X-ray detectors directly opposite
the X-ray tube.

A motor turns the ring so that the X-ray tube and the X-ray detectors revolve around the body. Each full revolution scans a narrow, horizontal "slice" of
the body. The control system moves the platform farther into the hole so the tube and detectors can scan the next slice.

In this way, the machine records X-ray slices across the body in a spiral motion. The computer varies the intensity of the X-rays in order to scan each
type of tissue with the optimum power. After the patient passes through the machine, the computer combines all the information from each scan to form
a detailed image of the body. It's not usually necessary to scan the entire body, of course. More often, doctors will scan only a small section.

Since they examine the body slice by slice, from all angles, CAT scans are much more comprehensive than conventional X-rays. Today, doctors use
CAT scans to diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments, including head trauma, cancer and osteoporosis. They are an invaluable tool in modern
medicine.

Exercise 2 Read the following articles and summarize the challenges and breakthroughs in
the field of medical imaging.

https://www.technology.org/2015/01/21/one-nanoparticle-six-types-medical-imaging/

https://www.technology.org/2013/12/04/nist-calibration-tools-encourage-use-novel-medical-imaging-
technique/

https://www.technology.org/2017/07/27/seeing-more-with-pet-scans-scientists-discover-new-way-to-label-
chemical-compounds-for-medical-imaging/

https://www.technology.org/2014/01/14/medical-imaging-breakthrough-may-lead-early-cancer-detection/

https://www.technology.org/2018/11/28/new-device-widens-light-beams-by-400-times-boosts-sensitivity-in-
medical-imaging-and-toxins-detection/

https://www.technology.org/2020/02/25/advancement-simplifies-laser-based-medical-imaging/