Ultrasound and X-Ray Physics
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Questions and Answers

The rapid shape changes, or vibrations, of the crystals in a transducer produce ______ that travel outward.

ultrasound

To determine the depth of a medium using ultrasound, we need to measure the ______ between emitted and received reflected pulses.

time delay

[Blank] is defined as the product of the density of a medium and the speed of a wave in that medium.

Specific acoustic impedance

Ultrasound gel is used during scans to minimize the intensity of ______ of the pulse at the skin's surface.

<p>reflection</p> Signup and view all the answers

To enhance sharpness in an X-ray image, one can reduce the aperture size, which decreases the beam _________.

<p>width</p> Signup and view all the answers

[Blank] refers to the reduction in intensity of a wave as it passes through a medium.

<p>Attenuation</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ______ gives information about the nature of tissues in ultrasound imaging, as the degree of reflection depends on the impedances of two media at a boundary.

<p>reflected intensity</p> Signup and view all the answers

To improve the contrast of an X-ray image, a fluorescent '______ medium' can be used during the procedure.

<p>contrast</p> Signup and view all the answers

The kinetic energy of electrons is converted into thermal energy in the metal target, which is then cooled by ______.

<p>rotating it</p> Signup and view all the answers

A key advantage of X-rays is their ability to create images where ______ is trapped, such as within the lungs.

<p>air</p> Signup and view all the answers

The sharp cutoff at the short wavelength end of the X-ray spectrum occurs because an electron gives all its energy to ______ in a single collision.

<p>one photon</p> Signup and view all the answers

Unlike an A-scan, a ______ repeats A-scans from multiple angles to form a 2-dimensional image.

<p>B-scan</p> Signup and view all the answers

A continuous distribution of wavelengths in X-ray production occurs because electrons are decelerated when hitting the target, leading to a continuous range of ______ and therefore wavelengths.

<p>accelerations</p> Signup and view all the answers

A filter in X-ray equipment functions to absorb low energy wavelengths, which serves to reduce the X-ray ______ to the patient.

<p>dose</p> Signup and view all the answers

In PET scanning, a ______ is a substance containing radioactive nuclei that is absorbed by the tissue being studied.

<p>radiotracer</p> Signup and view all the answers

Narrow peaks of increased intensity at specific wavelengths in the X-ray spectrum are caused by the de-excitation of orbital electrons in the inner shell of the target atom, which then emits ______.

<p>photons</p> Signup and view all the answers

A ______ is used to ensure a parallel X-ray beam, improving image quality and reducing unnecessary exposure.

<p>collimator</p> Signup and view all the answers

One significant advantage of CT scans over traditional X-rays is that the final image can be viewed from ______ angle.

<p>any</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term '______' of an X-ray beam refers to its penetration ability, where greater ______ indicates higher photon energy.

<p>hardness</p> Signup and view all the answers

A primary disadvantage of CT scans, compared to X-rays, is the greater ______ to radiation for the patient.

<p>exposure</p> Signup and view all the answers

To increase the hardness of an X-ray beam, one should increase the ______ of the accelerating electrons.

<p>voltage</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of X-ray intensity calculation, the equation I = I0e^______x is used, where μ represents the attenuation coefficient.

<p>-μ</p> Signup and view all the answers

An aluminium filter is used to absorb low energy wavelengths, cutting off 'soft' X-rays, in order to reduce ______.

<p>radiation dose</p> Signup and view all the answers

In X-ray imaging, different tissues attenuate the X-ray beam by different amounts, which produces a '______' image of structures on the photographic plate.

<p>shadow</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Filament Voltage Function

Heated filament releases high-speed electrons via thermionic emission.

Cathode-Anode Voltage Function

Accelerates electrons from cathode to anode.

Target Rotation Purpose

Rotating target cools it by spreading thermal energy.

Sharp Cut-off Cause

Electron stops and gives all energy to one photon in a single collision.

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Continuous Wavelengths Cause

X-rays produced by decelerating electrons hitting the target. Photon energy depends on deceleration magnitude; range of accelerations yields continuous wavelengths.

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Narrow Peaks Origin

High-speed electron excites inner shell electron. De-excitation emits photon, creating spectrum lines. Discrete energy levels equal discrete wavelengths.

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X-ray Hardness

X-ray beam penetration. Greater hardness means higher photon energy.

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Aluminum Filter Function

Reduces radiation dose by absorbing low energy wavelengths ('soft' X-rays).

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Contrast (X-ray)

Difference in the degree of blackening in different regions of an image.

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Increase Sharpness (X-ray)

Reducing the target anode area, aperture size, and using a lead grid.

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Increase Contrast (X-ray)

Increasing exposure time, using harder X-rays, reducing scattering, and using fluorescent contrast media.

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Advantage of X-ray

Forms sharp images, can improve contrast, and useful where air is trapped (e.g., lungs).

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Disadvantage of X-ray

Equipment is heavy, may cause ionization and damage tissues.

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Ultrasound definition

Sound wave with a frequency above 20 kHz.

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Piezo-electric crystal function

Transducer that records and produces ultrasonic waves. When AC voltage is applied the crystal vibrates generating ultrasound.

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Piezoelectric effect principle

Applying alternating potential difference to a crystal to change its shape and vibrate at its natural frequency (ultrasound range).

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Ultrasound Transducer

Vibrations from crystals produce ultrasound that travels outward.

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Specific Acoustic Impedance

Product of a medium's density and wave speed within it.

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Attenuation

Reduces wave intensity while passing through a medium.

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Intensity Reflection Coefficient

Ratio of reflected wave intensity to incident wave intensity.

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A-scan vs. B-scan

A scan measures distance graphically. B-scan repeats A-scans from multiple angles to form a 2D image.

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Radiotracer

Substance with radioactive nuclei absorbed by studied tissue.

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Annihilation

A particle interaction with its antiparticle converting mass into energy.

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Positron Annihilation Result

electron + positron -> two gamma photons

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Study Notes

X-Ray Production

  • Voltage across the filament heats it, causing thermionic emission and releasing high-speed electrons.
  • Voltage across the cathode and anode accelerates the electrons.
  • Kinetic energy from electrons transfers to the metal target as thermal energy which is cooled by the target's rotation.

X-Ray Spectrum

  • A sharp cutoff at short wavelengths occurs when an electron gives all its energy to one photon and stops after a single collision.
  • A continuous distribution of wavelengths is produced by decelerating electrons hitting the target.
  • Electrons are attracted by the nucleus of the anode's atom and lose energy which depends on the magnitude of deceleration, resulting in a continuous spectrum of wavelengths.
  • Narrow peaks of high intensity appear at specific wavelengths.
  • A high-speed electron excites an orbital electron in the inner shell of a target atom.
  • De-excitation of the electron will emit a photon, giving rise to spectrum lines due to discrete energy levels and photon wavelengths.

Properties and Control of X-Rays

  • Hardness refers to the penetration of the X-ray beam; a harder X-ray has higher photon energy and more penetrating power.
  • Increase the voltage of accelerating electrons to increase hardness.
  • Increase the voltage across the filament to increase intensity.
  • More intense X-rays produce images more quickly.

X-Ray Imaging

  • Aluminum filters are used to absorb low-energy (soft) X-rays to reduce radiation dose.
  • X-ray beams are directed through the body onto a detector plate; tissues attenuate the beam differently based on absorption properties.
  • The varying attenuation leads to a shadow image on a photographic plate
  • Sharpness refers to the clarity of image edges.
  • Contrast is the difference in the degree of blackening in different regions of the image.

Improving Image Quality

  • Reduce the target anode area
  • Reduce aperture size (window) to reduce beam width.
  • Place a lead grid in front of the photographic film to absorb scattered X-rays and reduce partial images.
  • Contrast can be increased by increasing exposure time, using harder X-rays, reducing X-ray beam scattering, and using fluorescent contrast medium

Advantages and Disadvantages of X-Rays

  • Sharp images can be formed, contrast improved, and images are possible where air is trapped.
  • Equipment is heavy, not portable and can cause ionization and tissue damage.

Components of X-Ray Equipment

  • Filters absorb low-energy wavelengths to reduce radiation dose.
  • Collimators produce parallel X-ray beams.

Computed Tomography (CT)

  • CT images are 3D and can be viewed from any angle.
  • CT scans can distinguish between tissues that have similar attenuation coefficients.

Disadvantages of CT Scans

  • Greater radiation exposure.
  • Increased health risks
  • It's more expensive
  • The person must remain stationary during imaging

CT Principle

  • Series of X-ray images for one section/slice are taken from different angles to give image of the section/slice
  • Images are processed and combined in two dimensions.
  • Process repeated for successive slices to build up three-dimensional image.
  • Computers are needed to store and process large amount of data

X-Ray Intensity Equation

  • The equation to calculate the intensity of an X-ray: I = Ioe^-μx

Ultrasound

  • Ultrasound is a sound wave with a frequency above 20kHz.
  • Piezo-electric transducers are used to record and produce ultrasonic waves; a.c. across vibrates the crystal, generating ultrasound.
  • Detection of reflected ultrasound generates induced potential difference.

Piezoelectric Effect

  • Piezoelectric crystals are coated with silver on two sides to serve as electrodes.
  • Alternating potential difference is applied to the crystals which alter their shape which causes vibrations.
  • Crystal's natural frequency is in the ultrasound range.
  • Crystals resonate at ultrasound frequencies, producing vibrations that generate ultrasound.

Pulse Ultrasound

  • The ultrasound from the transducer is pulsed.
  • Transducers act as receivers and transmitters.
  • Time delay between received reflected pulses and emitted pulses determines depth of medium.

Specific Acoustic Impedance

  • Specific acoustic impedance defined as the product of density of a medium and the speed of a wave passing through it.

Gel Use in Ultrasound

  • Reduce reflection at air-skin boundary
  • Without gel, most ultrasound is reflected at air-skin boundary.
  • With gel present, most ultrasound energy enters the body

Attenuation

  • Describes the reduction in intensity of a wave and it passes through a medium.
  • I = Ioe^-kx

Intensity Reflection Coefficient

  • It's the ratio of intensity of reflected to incident wave.
  • α = (IR/I) = ((Z2-Z1)/(Z2 + Z1))^2

Ultrasound Scanning

  • Pulses emitted from generator, gel use minimizes reflection at skin.
  • Pulses reflected at boundaries detected by ultrasound generator.
  • The signal is then processed and displayed on a computer.
  • Time delay gives boundary depth.
  • Reflected intensity gives information about tissue, and the degree of reflection depends on impedances of two media at boundary.

A-scan vs B-scan

  • A-scan: measures distance from transducer in one position graphically.
  • B-scan: repeats A-scan from multiple angles to 2D image

Advantages of Ultrasound Imaging

  • Portable equipment.
  • Less harmful than X-rays.

Disadvantages of Ultrasound Imaging

  • Images are not sharp due to refraction
  • Cannot be used to image where air is trapped like lungs

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

  • Radiotracers are substances with radioactive nuclei that are absorbed by tissue being studied.
  • Annihilation is when a particle interacts with its antiparticle, converting mass into energy.
  • Electron + positron yields two gamma photons

Energy and Momentum in PET

  • Total energy = 2 x mass of electron x C²
  • P = energy of one photon / c = h / wavelength of one photon

Principle of PET Imaging

  • Positrons interact with electrons which travels in opposite directions outside the body and detected.
  • Determining where gamma photons arrive defines tracer concentration in the tissue

Key aspects of detectors utilized in PET imaging

  • A crystal receives a gamma-photon.
  • An electron becomes excited via the photoelectric effect.
  • One electron will stimulate more electrons.
  • As electrons return to ground state, visible light photons are released.
  • A photomultiplier transforms photons into electrical reading for the computer.

Advantages & Disadvantages of PET Imaging

  • Can be used to detect cancer
  • Can show metabolic activity of cells
  • Equipment is heavy and not portable

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Description

This covers the principles of ultrasound and X-ray imaging. Key concepts include wave propagation, depth measurement using ultrasound, acoustic impedance, and attenuation. It also touches on image enhancement techniques in X-ray imaging.

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