The Application of Physics in Medical Imaging
Pregnancy: X-ray vs. Ultrasound
Prepared for: Mr. Carmody
Prepared by: Bevan Dias
Date: 20/10/14
Class: PHY1A23050589535000
Table of Contents
TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u 1.0Introduction PAGEREF _Toc275994343 \h 3
2.0Imaging Techniques PAGEREF _Toc275994344 \h 4
2.1 X-Ray’s PAGEREF _Toc275994345 \h 4
2.1.0 How The Apparatus Functions PAGEREF _Toc275994346 \h 4
2.1.1 Capabilities PAGEREF _Toc275994347 \h 7
2.2 Ultrasound PAGEREF _Toc275994348 \h 8
2.2.0 How The Apparatus Functions PAGEREF _Toc275994349 \h 8
2.2.1 Capabilities PAGEREF _Toc275994350 \h 11
3.0 Evaluation PAGEREF _Toc275994351 \h 12
4.0 Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc275994352 \h 14
5.0 Bibliography PAGEREF _Toc275994353 \h 15
IntroductionMedical imaging is the practice of creating visual representations of the interior structures of a body for clinical analysis and medical diagnosis. It began in 1895, when German professor Wilhelm Rontgen stumbled upon a mysterious type of radiation. This was the discovery of X-rays and it was not long after this that the medical uses of X-rays were discovered and put to use. It was an enormous milestone in the history of medicine and in physics.
Over one hundred years after Rontgen’s discovery of X-rays several other means of imaging the inner structures of living organisms have been discovered and put into practice, but choosing the right medical imaging technology for the right purpose is of utmost importance and harmful side effects due to the radiation endured during the processes must be minimized to ensure that the practice will be sustainable.
The two types of medical imaging that will be discussed in this document are X-rays and Ultrasound. These two technologies will be explained in detail and compared to reveal the technology that is best suited to scanning the womb of a pregnant female. This will be assessed on criteria including side effects, image clarity, and versatility, cost and ease of use....