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Related Concept Videos

X-ray Imaging01:24

X-ray Imaging

German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen (1845–1923) was experimenting with electrical current when he discovered that a mysterious and invisible "ray" would pass through his flesh but leave an outline of his bones on a screen coated with a metal compound. In 1895, Röntgen made the first durable record of the internal parts of a living human: an "X-ray" image (as it came to be called) of his wife’s hand. Scientists worldwide quickly began their own experiments with X-rays, and by 1900, X-ray was widely...
Positron Emission Tomography01:29

Positron Emission Tomography

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique involving radiopharmaceuticals — substances that emit short-lived radiation. Although the first PET scanner was introduced in 1961, it took 15 more years before radiopharmaceuticals were combined with the technique and revolutionized its potential.
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...
Radiation Pressure: Problem Solving01:09

Radiation Pressure: Problem Solving

The radiation pressure applied by an electromagnetic wave on a perfectly absorbing surface equals the energy density of the wave. The wave's momentum also gets transferred to the surface when an electromagnetic wave is entirely absorbed by it. The rate at which momentum is transmitted to an absorbing surface perpendicular to the propagation direction equals the force on the surface.
The average value of the rate of momentum transfer divided by the absorbing area represents the average force per...
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT01:30

Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT

Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and the...
Radiation: Applications01:17

Radiation: Applications

The average temperature of Earth is the subject of much current discussion. Earth is in radiative contact with both the Sun and dark space; it receives almost all its energy from the radiation of the Sun and reflects some of it into outer space. Dark space is very cold, about 3 K, so Earth radiates energy into it. For instance, heat transfer occurs from soil and grasses, the rate of which can be so rapid that frost can occur on clear summer evenings, even in warm latitudes.
The average...
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Dual Nature of Electromagnetic (EM) Radiation

Electromagnetic (EM) radiation consists of electric and magnetic field components oscillating in planes perpendicular to each other and mutually perpendicular to radiation propagation through space. EM radiation can be classified as a wave, characterized by the properties of waves such as wavelength (denoted as λ) and frequency (represented by ν).
Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks (the highest point) or troughs (the lowest point) in the wave. Frequency is the number of...

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[Concepts of dosimetry].

Journal de radiologie·2010
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A Basic Positron Emission Tomography System Constructed to Locate a Radioactive Source in a Bi-dimensional Space
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[Basic concepts of radiology physics].

D-J Gambini1

  • 1Service Central de Médecine du Travail, Hôtel Dieu, 1 place du Parvis Notre Dame, 75004 Paris, France.

Journal De Radiologie
|December 24, 2010
PubMed
Summary

X-ray tubes use aluminum filters to reduce soft X-rays, optimizing imaging. Proper selection of voltage and current ensures diagnostic quality images with best contrast and minimal radiation.

Area of Science:

  • Medical physics and imaging science.
  • X-ray generation and interaction with matter.

Context:

  • X-ray tubes produce a spectrum of X-ray energies, with higher energy X-rays defined by tube voltage (U in kV).
  • Aluminum filtration is crucial for reducing low-energy X-rays, shaping the X-ray spectrum and influencing mean energy.
  • Understanding X-ray attenuation mechanisms, including the photoelectric and Compton effects, is vital for medical imaging.

Purpose:

  • To explain the fundamental principles of X-ray generation, filtration, and attenuation in biological tissues.
  • To highlight the importance of optimizing X-ray acquisition parameters for diagnostic imaging.

Summary:

  • X-ray tubes emit X-rays, with aluminum filtration (1.5-2.5 mm) reducing soft X-rays and setting the mean energy to 2/3 of the maximum (E₀).
  • X-ray attenuation in tissues results from photoelectric (low-energy, high Z) and Compton (intermediate-energy, density-dependent) effects.

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  • Optimal imaging involves selecting the highest voltage (U) for contrast and lowest tube current (mAs) for diagnostic quality.

    • Impact:

    • Provides foundational knowledge for medical physicists and radiographers in optimizing X-ray imaging parameters.
    • Contributes to the understanding of radiation physics relevant to medical diagnostic procedures.
    • Informs best practices for achieving high-quality diagnostic images while minimizing patient radiation exposure.